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American 
Small  Arms 


A    Veritable    Encyclopedia  of  Knowledge  for    Sportsmen  and 
Military  Men.     Illustrated  with  Five  Hundred  Engravings 


BY 

EDWARD    S.    FARROW 

Late    Assistant    Instructor    of  Tactics    at    the    United    States    Military- 
Academy,    West     Point,    and     Formerly    Commanding 
Indian  Scouts  in  the  Department  of  the  Columbia 


NEW  YORK 

THE    BRADFORD    COMPANY 

1904 


Copyright,  1^04,  By 
Edward  S.    Farrow 


This  Book 

is  Inscribed  by  its  Author 

to 

VICTOR  SMITH 

as 

a  Tribute  to  a  Generous  Nature 

and 

a  Memorial  of  Friendship 


239899 


PREFACE 


WHEN  I  captured  the  Sheep  Eater  Indians  in  the  Sahnon  River 
Mountains  of  Idaho,  in  1879,  I  was  much  surprised  to  find  in  their 
possession  a  great  variety  of  American  guns,  many  of  v^hich  were 
practically  unknown.  Upon  inquiring  among  brother  Army  officers  and  sports- 
men, I  discovered  that  there  existed  the  most  meager  knowledge  of  American 
Small  Arms  and  a  complete  absence  of  writings  on  the  subject.  To  supply  the 
want  I  set  to  work  to  prepare  this  volume,  and  it  is  hoped  that  it  will  point  the 
way  and  awaken  the  interest  of  its  readers  in  this  most  fascinating  field. 

I  believe  that  American  Small  Arms  are  the  best  in  the  world,  and  regret  that 
the  United  States  Army  has  been  permitted  to  use  an  inferior  foreign  gun — 
the  Krag-Jorgensen.  The  descriptions  in  this  volume  are  limited  to  Arms  of 
American  patent  or  manufacture  and  a  few  which  have  become  Americanized 
— like  the  Ferguson  and  Mauser.  Those  desiring  to  extend  their  study  and 
investigation  to  foreign  Small  Arms  are  referred  to  Farrow's  Military  Ency- 
clopedia, a  new  edition  of  which  is  now  in  preparation. 

I  believe  we  are  now  on  the  verge  of  a  great  world  war — the  struggle  of 
nations  in  the  race  for  commercial  supremacy.  Every  nation  is  now  strengthening 
herself,  and  never  in  the  history  of  man  have  such  preparations  for  bloody  conflict 
been  made  as  are  now  in  progress.  Should  Japan  be  successful  in  the  present 
war  with  Russia,  inside  of  a  decade  there  would  be  in  China  an  army  of  three 
million  Chinamen,  equipped  with  modern  weapons,  and  in  possession  of  railroads. 
What  could  prevent  this  horde  from  sweeping  westward?  I  have  thought  the 
present  an  opportune  time  to  present  this  volume  to  the  gun  lovers  and  soldiery 
of  our  land. 

E.  S.  F. 

New  York  City,  1904. 


AMERICAN    SMALL    ARMS, 


It  is  doubtful  at  what  time  guns  were  first  used  as  sporting  arms;  but 
early  French  and  Italian  works  seem  to  indicate  the  close  of  the  14th  cen- 
tury. We  find  ct  curious  illustration  in  an  old  manuscript,  entitled,  "Ye 
Gonne  and  How  to  Use  It,"  dated  1446.  This  curious  sketch  is  evidently  a 
caricature;  but  it  is  sufficient  to  show  that  all  firearms  were  used  for  game 
shooting  in  the  early  part  of  the  15th  century.  We  have  notices  of  the  same  in 
several  records  of  that  century,  and  by  the  close  of  the  i6th  century  the  gun 
seems  to  have  become  so  general  a  sporting  weapon  as  to  necessitate  special 
regulations  in  several  European  countries.  About  1580,  an  Italian  work  in- 
forms us,  shooting  at  birds  flying  and  animals  in  motion  was  first  practiced; 
but  this  could  not  have  been  to  any  great  extent.  It  was  not  until  the  close 
of  the  i8th  century  that  shooting  on  the  wing  became  at  all  common.  Since 
that  time  it  has  been  so  universally  practiced  as  to  make  shooting  at  any 
fixed  object  with  a  shot-gun  unsportsmanlike.  The  well-balanced  and  light 
guns  made  by  the  crack  gunsmiths  of  the  early  part  of  the  last  century 
greatly  favored  snap-shooting,  and  many  of  the  sportsmen  of  those  days,  if 
they  did  not  make  such  large  bags  as  those  of  to-day,  enjoyed  sport  into  a 
good  old  age,  and  were  hale  and  hearty  to  the  last. 

Sporting  arms  may  be  classed  as  shot-guns,  pistols,  carbines  and  rifles. 
Muzzle-loaders  are  but  little  used  at  the  present  time.  Most  breech-loaders 
employ  the  metallic  case  cartridge,  and  are  divided  into  simple  breech-loaders 
and  repeaters.  The  essential  parts  of  all  such  arms  are  the  barrel,  the  cham- 
ber, the  breech-mechanism,  the  lock,  the  stock,  the  sights  ,and  the  mountings, 
and  in  repeaters  the  magazine.  If  the  chamber  be  made  in  the  piece  which 
closes  the  breech,  commonly  called  the  breech-block,  the  arm  is  said  to  have 
a  movable  chamber;  if  it  be  formed  by  counterboring  the  barrel,  it  is  said  to 
have  a  fixed  chamber.  The  latter  has  great  advantages,  and  is  generally  used. 
With  the  fixed  chamber  the  interior  of  the  barrel  is  divided  into  two  distinct 
parts,  viz.,  the  bore  proper,  or  space  through  which  the  projectile  moves  un- 
der the  influence  of  the  powder,  and  the  chamber  in  which  the  charge  is  de- 
posited.    The  principal  parts  peculiar  to  breech-loaders  are:   ist.    The  mova- 


8  AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 

ble  Dreoch-DlocK,  by  which  the  chamber  is  opened  and  closed.  2d.  The  breech- 
frame,  upon  which  the  breech-block  is  mounted  and  united  to  the  barrel. 
3d.  The  chamber,  with  its  recess,  to  receive  the  rim  of  the  cartridge.  4th.  The 
firing-pin.  which  transmits  the  blow  of  the  hammer  to  the  cartridge.  5th.  The 
extractor,   by  which  the   empty  case  is  removed  after  firing. 

The  foregoing  named  parts  may  be  said  to  be  essential  to  all  breech- 
loading  arms  in  which  the  metalHc  cartridge  is  used;  the  different  ways  in 
which  they  are  combined  mark  the  systems.  These  combinations  have  ref- 
erence chiefly  to  the  modes  of  operating  and  locking  the  breech-block.  The 
different  systems  may  be  classified  into:  ist,  those  with  a  fixed  chamber;  2d, 
those  with  a  movable  chamber.  The  latter  have  now  become  obsolete.  The  first 
class  have:  ist,  a  movable  barrel;  2d,  a  movable  breech-block.  With  each  the 
motion  may  be  sliding,  in  which  case  it  moves  in  grooves;  rotating,  w^hen  it 
swings  on  a  hinge;  or  sliding  and  rotating  combined.  The  greater  number  of 
systems  belong  to  the  class  of  a  "movable  breech-block  rotating  about  an 
axis."  In  arms  of  this  class  the  axis  of  motion  may  be  parallel  to  the  axis  of 
the  barrel,  and  above,  below,  or  to  one  side  of  it;  or  perpendicular  to  that 
axis,  being  vertical  or  horizontal,  and  lying  in  or  out  of  the  plane  of  the  axis. 
The  position  of  the  hinge  has  an  important  influence  on  the  facility  of  operating 
the  block,  inserting  the  cartridge,  and  extracting  the  empty  shell;  the  most  suit- 
able position  is  deemed  to  be  in  front  of  the  center  of  the  block.  In  this  case 
the  motion  of  opening  and  closing  the  block  is  natural  and  easy;  the  car- 
tridge is  pushed  into  its  place  by  the  block,  and  a  very  simple  retractor  serves 
to  withdraw  the  empty  shell  after  firing.  The  most  serious  defect  found  in 
breech-loading  arms  was  the  escape  of  the  flame  through  the  joint,  which  not 
only  incommoded  the  shooter,  but,  by  fouling  the  machinery,  seriously  inter- 
fered with  its  operation.  At  present  this  is  entirely  overcome  by  the  elastic 
metallic  case  of  the  cartridge.  The  advantages  of  breech-loading  over  muzzle- 
loading  arms  are:  ist.  Greater  certainty  and  rapidity  of  f:re.  2d.  Greater  se- 
curity from  accidents  and  loading.  3d.  The  impossibility  of  getting  more  than 
one  cartridge  into  the  piece  at  the  same  time.  4th.  Greater  facility  of  loading 
under  all  circumstances,  and  particularly  when  the  soldier  is  mounted,  lying  on 
the  ground,  or  firing  from  behind  any  cover. 

There  are  certain  functions  performed  by,  and  certain  important  condi- 
tions to  be  fulfilled  in,  the  construction  of  the  different  portions  of  a  small- 
arm.  The  barrel  is  by  far  the  most  important  part  of  a  firearm,  its  office 
being  to  concentrate  the  force  of  a  charge  of  powder  on  a  projectile, 
and  give  it  proper  initial  velocity  and  direction;  for  these  purposes,  and  for 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS  9 

the  safety  of  the  firer,  it  should  be  made  of  the  best  material  and  with  the 
greatest  care.  In  determining  the  exterior  lorm,  it  is  not  only  necessary  to 
give  such  thickness  to  the  different  parts  as  will  best  resist  the  explosion 
effect  of  the  charge,  but  such  as  will  prevent  it  from  being  bent  when  subject 
to  rough  usage.  Weight,  to  a  certain  extent  is  necessary  to  Hmit  recoil,  to 
give  steadiness  to  the  barrel  in  aiming,  and  to  prevent  it  from  "springing" 
in  firing.  The  latter  defect  generally  arises  from  bad  workmanship,  whereby 
there  is  a  greater  thickness  of  metal,  and  consequently  less  expansion  on  one 
side  of  the  bore  than  on  the  other.  In  some  sporting  rifles  the  barrel  weighs 
from  12  to  15  lbs. 

Three  points  are  to  be  considered  in  determining  the  caliber  of  small 
arms:  ist.  It  should  be  as  small  as  possible  to  enable  the  hunter  or  soldier  to 
carry  the  greatest  number  of  cartridges.  2d.  To  diminish  the  amount  of  am- 
munition required,  and  to  prevent  the  confusion  liable  to  arise  from  a  variety 
of  calibers,  there  should  not  be  more  than  two  for  all  arms  of  the  same  ser- 
vice, viz.,  one  for  the  rifle  and  the  carbine,  and  one  for  the  pistol.  3d.  This 
point  relates  to  the  force  and  accuracy  of  the  projectile,  and  to  the  flatness 
of  its  trajectory.  The  introduction  of  the  elongated  projectiles  -ifforded  the 
means  of  increasing  the  accuracy  and  range  of  firearms,  without  increasing 
the  weight  of  the  projectile,  simply  by  reducing  the  caliber,  which  diminished 
the  surface,  opposed  to  the  air.  Too  great  reduction  of  caliber,  however, 
gives  a  very  long  and  weak  projectile,  and  besides  the  effect  of  a  projectile 
on  an  animate  object  depends  not  only  on  its  penetration,  but  also  on  the 
shock  communicated  by  it  to  the  nervous  system,  or  upon  the  surface  of  con- 
tact. These  considerations  have  led  to  a  general  reduction  of  caliber  of  rifles. 
The  grooves  being  for  the  purpose  of  communicating  a  rotary  motion  to 
the  projectile  around  an  axis  coincident  with  its  flight,  their  construction  will 
depend  upon  the  form,  dimension  and  material  of  the  projectile,  charge  of 
powder,  and  angle  of  fire.  The  points  to  be  considered  in  determining  the 
form  of  grooves  for  arms  are  range,  accuracy  of  lire,  endurance,  and  facility  of 
cleaning  the  bore.  Experiment  has  shown  that  for  breech-loaders  these 
points  are  best  attained  by  making  the  grooves  broad  and  shallow,  and  with 
a  rapid  twist.  The  chamber  being  a  receptacle  for  the  charge,  its  shape  is 
made  to  conform  to  that  of  the  cartridge.  Its  diameter  is  made  a  little  larger, 
and  that  of  the  bore  a  Httle  smaller  than  that  of  the  projectile.  This  facilitates 
the  insertion  of  the  charge,  and  causes  the  projectile  to  be  compressed  and 
held  firmly  by  the  lands  in  its  passage  through  the  bore.  The  bottom  of  the 
grooves  and  the  surface  of  the  chamber  are  generally  continuous. 


10  AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 

The  breech-mechanism  comprises  the  principal  parts  that  are  peculiar  to 
arms  loading  at  the  breech.  The  functions  of  these  parts  are  the  opening,  clos- 
ing, and  locking  of  the  breech,  firing  the  charge,  and  removing  the  empty  car- 
tridge shell.  These  are  the  objects  for  the  accompHshment  of  which  the  differ- 
ent systems  are  variously  contrived,  and  with  which  alone  they  are  concerned. 
The  most  important  conditions  to  be  fulfilled  in  the  arrangement  of  this  mech- 
anism are:  ist.  The  number  of  parts  should  be  as  few  as  possible,  and  all 
should  be  of  the  simplest  construction.  2d.  The  strength  and  union  of  the 
parts  should  be  such  as  not  only  to  resist  repeated  discharges,  but  the  burst- 
ing of  a  cartridge  case,  which  sometimes  occurs  from  defective  material  or 
workmanship.  3d.  The  locking  of  the  breech-block  should  not  only  bfe  se- 
cure, but  all  the  parts  by  which  it  is  effected  should  work  freely  without  stick- 
ing. 4th.  The  parts  should  be  so  arranged  that  the  hammer  cannot  strike 
the  firing-pin  until  the  breech-block  is  properly  locked.  5th.  The  hammer 
should  not  necessarily  rest  on  the  firing  pin  when  the  piece  is  carried  loaded. 
6th.  The  breech  should  be  unlocked  without  the  hammer  being  brought  nec- 
essarily to  full  cock.  7th.  The  working  parts  should,  as  far  as  possible,  be  cov- 
ered from  dust  and  water.  8th.  The  extractor  should  be  so  arranged  as  to  re- 
quire no  cuts  or  openings  in  that  part  of  the  chamber  which  surrounds  the 
body  of  the  cartridge  case.  The  lock  is  the  machine  by  which  the  charge  in 
the  cartridge  is  ignited.  Those  of  the  present  day  belong  to  the  percussion 
class,  in  which  fire  is  produced  by  a  blow  upon  the  fulminating  powder,  con- 
tained in  the  cartridge  case.  Locks  are  divided  into  side  and  center  locks, 
depending  upon  the  position  occupied  in  the  stock;  each  of  these  may  be  either 
front  action,  wherein  the  mainspring  is  in  front  of  the  tumbler,  or  back-action, 
where  the  spring  is  in  rear  of  the  tumbler.  The  mortise,  which  forms  a  bed 
for  the  lock  of  the  latter  construction,  seriously  affects  the  strength  of  the 
stock  at  the  handle,  and  for  this  reason  the  front-action  lock  is  generally  pre- 
ferred for  all  arms,  except  revolvers.  The  conditions  to  be  fulfilled  in  the  con- 
struction of  a  lock  are  simpHcity,  strength,  certainty  of  action,  and  freedom 
from  such  accidental  motion  of  the  parts  as  might  produce  explosion  of  the 
charge  in  the  barrel. 

The  stock  is  the  wooden  part  of  the  firearm,  to  which  all  the  parts  are 
assembled;  it  is  preferable  that  it  should  be  in  one  piece.  The  material 
should  be  light,  strong,  and  well  seasoned.  The  butt,  the  part  intended  to 
rest  against  the  shoulder  and  to  support  the  recoil  of  the  piece,  should  be 
of  such  length  and  shape  as  will  enable  it  to  transmit  the  recoil  with  the  least 
inconvenience    to    the    sportsman.      Tlu-  longer  it  is,  to  a  certain  extent,  the 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS  11 

more  firmly  will  it  be  pressed  against  the  shoulder,  and  the  effect  of  the  recoil 
will  be  a  push  rather  than  a  blow.  The  stock  is  crooked  at  the  handle  for 
convenience  in  aiming,  and  for  the  purpose   of  diminishing  the   direct   action 


of  the  recoil.  Changing  the  direction  of  the  recoil  in  this  manner  causes  the 
piece  to  rotate  around  the  h^houlder;  but  if  the  stock  be  made  too  crooked,  the 
butt  will  be  liable  to  Ry  up  and  strike  the  face. 

The   sights  are  guides  by  which  the  piece  is  given  the  elevation  and  direc- 
tion necessary  to  hit  the  object.     There  are  two;  called  front  and  rear  sights. 


LYMAN  REAR  SIGHT  COMBINATION  REAR  SIGHT 

The  front  sight  is  fixed  to  the  barrel  near  the  muzzle.  The  fineness  of  its  point 
is  regulated  by  the  length  of  the  barrel,  or  distance  from  the  eye,  and  the  size 
and  distance  of  the  object  generally  aimed  at;  it  is  made  coarser  in  military 
than  in  sporting  arms,  to  prevent  injury.  The  rear  sight  is  attached  to  the 
barrel  a  short  distance  from  the  breech;  it  has  a  movable  part,  capable  of 
being    adjusted    for    different    elevations  of  the  barrel.     A  sight  should  satisfy 


12 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 


the  following  conditions,  viz.:  ist,  it  should  be  easily  adjusted  for  all  aistances 
within  effective  range;  2d,  the  form  of  the  notch  should  permit  the  eye  to 
catch  the  object  quickly;  3d,  it  should  not  be  easily  deranged  by  accidents. 


LONG  TANG  PEEP  SIGHT 


LONG  VERNIER  SIGHT 


Globe  and  telescopic  sights  are  used  for  very  accurate  sporting  arms,  but  they 
are  too  delicate  in  their  structure  and  too  slow  in  their  operations  for  general 
purposes 

The  mountings  may  be  divided  into  two  classes,  viz.:  ist,  those  which 
serve  to  connect  the  principal  parts,  generally  bands  and  screws;  2d,  those 
which  protect  from  wear  or  strengthen  the  stock  at  certain  points,  as  the  butt- 
plate,  guard  plate,  tip;  3d,  the  minor  parts  which  secure  the  different  parts 
(including  the  mountings  proper)  in  their  place,  consisting  of  springs,  screws, 
rivets,  pins,  washers  and  nuts. 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS  13 

A  butt-plate  is  to  protect  the  end  of  the  stock  from  injury  by  contact  with 
the  ground;  it  is  generally  curved  to  fit  the  shoulder  in  firing.  A  guard-plate 
is  to  strengthen  the  handle  of  the  stock;  it  may  serve  as  a  fulcrum  for  the  trig- 
ger. A  tip  is  a  shield  placed  on  the  end  of  the  stock  towards  the  muzzle. 
If  the  piece  be  intended  to  carry  upon  the  back,  it  is  provided  with  swivels 
for  that  purpose,  generally  two,  one  of  which  may  be  fastened  to  a  band  and 
the  other  to  the  guard-plate,  or  to  a  point  of  the  stock  in  rear  of  that  plate. 
The  trigger  is  a  lever  used  to  set  the  lock  in  motion.  Triggers  are  divided, 
according  to  their  construction  and  the  force  required  to  draw  them_,  into 
common  and  set  or  hair  triggers;  the  latter  are  employed  only  in  sporting 
arms.  The  force  recjuired  to  set  off  the  trigger,  if  very  great,  may  disturb  the 
accuracy  of  the  aim;  if  it  be  slight,  the  piece  will  be  liable  to  accidental  dis- 
charges. The  trigger  has  a  guard  which  protects  the  finger-piece  from  injury, 
and    from    accidental   blows   that    might  produce  explosions. 

There  are  many  types  of  magazine  guns.  i.  Those  in  which  the  magazine 
is  a  tube  below  the  barrel,  as  in  the  Winchester.  2.  Those  in  which  the  maga- 
zine is  in  the  stock,  as  in  the  Spencer,  Meigs,  and  others.     3.  Those  in  which 

ai 


the  magazine  is  a  separate  piece  attachable  to  the  gun  when  required,  as  in 
the  Lee.  The  cartridges  are  fed  automatically  into  the  chamber  of  the  barrel, 
by  the  manipulation  of  the  breech  mechanisn  ,  It  is  only  necessary  to  close 
the  breech  when  the  arm  is  ready  to  fire.  This  obviates  the  necessity  of  iian- 
dling  and  charging  each  cartridge,  besides  preventing  the  considerable  loss  of 
ammunition,  occasioned  by  dropping  cartridges  while  transferring  from  the 
cartridge-box  to  the  arm,  which,  in  the  excitement  of  rapid  firing,  are  seldom 
recovered  or  saved.  The  principal  objection  oiifered  to  magazine  guns  is  that 
their  use  causes  a  wasteful  and  unnecessary  expenditure  of  ammunition. 
The  same  argument  was  largely  used,  when  only  a  few  years  ago,  the  merits 
of  breech  versus  muzzle-loaders,  were  being  discussed,  and  is  as  weak  now  as 
then. 

No  valid  reason  can  be  given  why,  other  essentials  being  equal,  the  same 
men  should  not  aim  as  well,  firing  rapidly,  as  slowly  sighting  requires  the  same 
time,  whatever  may  be  the  time  used  in   loading;   and   if   increasing  the   time 


14  AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 

expended  between  the  fringe  of  one  shot  and  sighting  for  the  next,  increases 
the  effectiveness  of  the  man,  it  follow.^,  that  to  shoot  accurately,  a  certain 
amount  of  the  time  must  be  wasted  in  operations  other  than  aiming  the  wea- 
pon— a  theory  that  could  hardly  be  sustained. 

The  weight  of  a  column  of  five  ordinary  service  cartridges  would  be 
about  seven  ounces,  at  least  four-fifth;  of  which  weight  would  in  a  tubular 
magazine,  rest  fairly  upon  the  point  o.'  the  bullet  of  the  last  cartridge,  and 
which  bullet  comes  directly  in  contact  with  the  primer  itself  of  the  cartridge 
in  advance  of  it.  All  ammunition  manufacturers  realize  the  difficulty  experi- 
enced in  preparing  fulminate  of  mercury  (used  for  primers),  that  will,  in 
practical  use,  always  have  a  uniform  degree  of  sensitiveness.  It  can  be  made 
so  sensitive  that  the  slightest  scratch  will  ignite  it,  and  many  fulminate  mixers 
have  lost  their  lives  by  a  moment's  inattention  or  relaxation  of  caution  while 
compounding  it.  While  it  is  generally  possible  to  produce  fulminate  of  nearly 
equal  quality,  still  different  batches  do  vary;  and  whether  it  be  from  differ- 
ence in  this  quality  or  from  the  different  position  or  placement  of  the  fulmi- 
nate in  the  primer  as  regards  the  cartridge-anvil,  or  otherwise,  still  it  is  cer- 
tainly true  that  cartridges  are  to  be  found  in  use  that  will  explode  with  one- 
half  the  concussion  ordinarily  required.  It  is  a  fact  that  cartridges  have  ex- 
ploded by  dropping  a  few  inches  from  the  machine  in  which  they  are  loaded 
into  the  receptacle  below.  It  is  readily  seen,  then,  that  the  use  of  such  a  spiral 
spring  makes  premature  explosion  not  only  possible,  but  very  probable,  and 
there  is  no  way  to  prevent  it,  except  by  discarding  it,  as  in  the  Lee  or  Chaf- 
fee-Reece  guns.  During  the  War  of  the  Rebellion,  guns  using  the  spiral 
spring  have  been  known  to  explode  when  the  cavalry  were  on  a  march.  Of 
course,  such  arms  were  discarded;  but  the  same  thing  may  happen  to  any  arm 
of    recent    invention    which    is   so   constructed  as  to  require  a  spiral  spring. 

Where  the  cartridges  are  fed  from  the  butt-stock  by  a  spiral  spring  the 
bullet  is  liable  to  strike  the  counter-bore  of  the  barrel,  making  a  notch  in  the 
bullet  and  rendering  it  useless  for  accurate  work.  When  the  cartridges 
are  brought  up  by  a  carrier  on  an  angle  the  same  thing  will  happen — the 
counter-bore  of  the  barrel  either  stops  the  bullet  or  cuts  off  a  piece  sufficiently 
large  to  make  it  impossible  that  its  flight  be  accurate  and  make  a  good  tar- 
get, because  of  its  irregular  shape  made  by  such  contact.  It  is  well  under- 
stood that  a  good  shot,  when  using  any  of  the  magazine  guns  in  which  the  car- 
tridges are  fed  by  a  si)iral  spring,  uses  it  as  a  single-loader;  and  the  reason  is, 
that  the  bullet  is  generally  so  mutilated  by  .striking  the  counter-bore,  that  its 
flight  is  not  to  be  depended  upon  for  accuracy. 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 


15 


The  Parker  shotgun,  which  is  distinctively  American,  exhibits  all  the  ad- 
vantages of  the  many  American  systems  of  shotguns.  The  different  parts  are 
made  by  special  machinery,  and  by  workmen  who  make  a  specialty  of  one 
thing  only,  and  are  subjected  to  rigid  inspection,  so  that  no  defective  or  im- 
perfect part  can  find  its  way  into  the  finished  gun.  The  number  of  parts  is 
reduced  to  a  minimum,  and  the  construction  is  so  simple  that  the  gun  can  be 
taken  apart,  for  cleaning  or  repairs,  with  an  ordinary  screw-driver.  The  manu- 
facture of  shotgun  barrels  differs  in  many  respects  from  that  of  rifle  barrels. 
They  must  be  light,  therefore  thin,  and  yet  sufficiently  strong  —  conditions 
which  can  only  be  obtained  by  an  extraordinary  tenacity  of  the  material.  In 
these  combinations  this  tenacity  is  secured  by  mixing  and  blending  the  iron 
and  steel  so  intimately  together  that  the  peculiar  proportions  of  each,  tough- 
ness and  elasticity,  are  imparted  to  every  portion  of  the  mass,  and  the  barrel 
thus  receives  the  degree  of  hardness  and  softness  required.  The  barrels  of 
the  Parker  gun  are  manufactured  in  the  following  manner:  The  iron  and  steel 
are  placed  in  layers,  according  to  the  figure  that  may  be  desired,  which  opera- 


tion is  called  piling.  These  layers  are  securely  welded  together  into  a  com- 
pact bar,  which  must  be  absolutely  sound  and  perfect  in  every  weld,  as  the 
slightest  spot  left  unwelded  or  unsound  in  this  operation  will  be  sure  to  cause 
a  total  loss  of  the  barrel.  Tlie  process  now  consists  in  reducing  this  bar  to 
such  a  sized  rod  as  may  be  required  for  a  certain  weight  of  barrel.  This  rod  is 
twisted  similar  to  a  rope,  care  being  taken  to  have  the  twist  uniform  and  even. 
Several  of  these  twisted  rods  are  placed  side  by  side,  being  careful  to  have  the 
inclination  of  the  twist  arranged  in  opposite  directions.  These  several  rods 
are  welded  together  with  the  same  care  and  precision  as  in  the  previous  op- 
eration, to  insure  perfectly  sound  barrels.  This  is  now  termed  a  ribbon  and 
is  coiled  spirally  around  a  mandrel.  This  spiral  ribbon  is  raised  to  a  welding 
heat  and  jumped  by  striking  the  end  against   the    anvil,    thereby    welding   the 


16  AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 

edges  firmlv  together.  They  are  then  placed  upon  a  welding-mandrel,  reheat- 
ed, and  welded  from  end  to  end.  Much  skill  and  care  are  required  in  this 
operation  to  reduce  this  outside  diameter  to  correct  size  and  at  the  same  time 
preserve  the  caliber,  and  also  maintain  the  proper  taper,  the  barrel  being 
much  larger  at  the  breech  than  at  the  muzzle.  The  figure  that  appears  in  the 
figured  barrel  is  dependent  upon  the  correctness  of  this  and  the  previous 
welding  operations,  for  if  hammered  unevenly,  the  figure  itself  will  be  corre- 
spondingly uneven.  Then  follows  the  process  of  hammering  in  nearly  a  cold 
state,  whereby  the  texture  of  the  metal  is  condensed,  closing  its  pores  and 
making  it  harder.  This  finishes  the  operation  of  barrel-forging,  and  the  barrel 
is  ready  to  be  bored.  The  curly  figure  that  appears  in  the  Damascus,  Ber- 
nard, and  laminated  barrels  is  obtained  by  twisting  the  rods  before  referred 
to;  the  variation  of  figure  being  obtained  by  varying  the  piling.  The  white 
marks  that  appear  in  the  finished  barrel  are  iron;  and  the  dark  ones  steel.  The 
fine  figure  that  is  on  the  barrels  of  the  high-priced  guns  is  obtained  by  an 
increased  number  of  pieces  in  the  operation  of  piling. 

This  large  number  of  pieces  necessarily  renders  the  operation  of  securing 
perfect  welding  much  more  difficult,  and  the  liability  of  loss  is  greater.  Some 
imagine  that  the  curly  figures  of  the  barrel  are  simply  etched  on  the  outside, 
when  they  are,  in  fact,  the  visible  proof  of  a  superior  strength  both  desirable 
and  important  to  every  shooter  who  cares  for  his  personal  safety;  for  if  an 
iron  barrel,  no  matter  how  strong  and  thick,  is  defective  and  does  not  stand 
the  test,  the  defective  part  will  splinter  into  more  or  less  small  pieces,  while 
the  Damascus,  Bernard,  and  laminated  barrels  will  tear  like  a  woven  fabric. 
This  proves  clearly  the  extraordinary  tenacity  of  the  material.  These  fine  bar- 
rels are  not,  therefore,  worked  and  twisted  so  neatly  and  nicely  that  they  may 
look  beautiful  alone,  but  rather  for  the  reason  that  greatest  lightness,  com- 
bined with  greatest  durability,  may  be    produced. 

Each  barrel,  after  manufacture,  should  be  carefully  tested,  and  submitted 
to  the  necessary  proof.  The  diameter  of  the  bore  should  be  verified  with  the 
standard  and  hmit  gauges.  The  standard  gauge  is  a  cylinder  of  the  diameter 
of  tl^  bore,  and  the  limit  gauge  is  .0025  inch  greater.  The  former  should  pass 
freely  through  the  bore,  and  the  latter  should  not  enter  it.  The  barrel  shoula 
enter  the  groove  of  the  stock  one-half  of  its  diameter,  and  it  should  bear 
uniformly  throughout,  particularly  at  the  breech.  The  vent  should  be  accu- 
rate in  its  dimension,  position  and  direction,  and  a  wire  should  be  passed 
through  it  to  see  that  it  is  free.  The  cone  should  be  sound.  The  shoulders  of 
the  breech-screw  should  fit  closely  to  tlic  end  of  the  barrel,  and   it   shouKl  be 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS  17 

free  from  cracks  or  flaws  about  the  tang-scrcw  hole.  The  straightness  of  the 
barrel  may  be  ascertained  by  turning  out  the  breech-screw,  and  holding  the 
barrel  up  to  the  light,  and  reflecting  the  image  of  a  straight-edge  from  the 
surface  of  the  bore.  If  the  barrel  be  straight,  the  reflected  image  will  be 
straiglit  in  all  positions  of  the  barrel.  The  bore  must  be  free  from  all  hammer 
marks,  ring-bores,  cinder-holes,  flaws,  cracks,  etc.,  as  such  irregularities  cause 
an  inaccuracy  of  fire. 

A  wrought-iron  rifle  or  carbine  barrel  will  only  endure  about  one- 
half  of  this  charge.  The  breech-loading  system  after  it  is  finished  and 
assembled  to  the  barrel  is  subjected  to  a  "finished-proof"  charge  of  a  single 
service  bullet  and  a  charge  of  85  grains  of  musket-powder,  which  is  all  that 
can  be  crowded  into  the  cartridge-shell.  Numerous  trials  have  shown  that  the 
Springfield  system  will  stand  at  least  120  grains  of  powder  and  three  service 
bullets,  weighing  altogether  1,265  grains.  The  fact  that  a  small-arm  barrel 
seldom  or  never  bursts  or  swells  at  the  muzzle  in  proof  shows  conclusively 
that  when  such  defects  are  found  in  service  the  cause  is  some  obstruction  in 
the  bore.  Obstructions  arise  generally  from  the  improper  stopping  up  of  the 
muzzle  to  keep  out  moisture.  It  may  arise  from  dirt  introduced  by  resting  the 
muzzle  of  the  piece  on  the  ground.  Instances  have  occurred  of  the  bursting 
of  barrels  by  a  bullet  in  the  bore — the  result  of  a  charge  insufificient  to  expel 
it.  Very  accurate  and  delicate  machines  are  now  used  to  weigh  each  finished 
cartridge,  and  reject  any  that  may  be  deficient  in  powder.  The  barrel  of  a  rifle 
will  endure  at  least  10,000  fires  before  its  accuracy  is  sensibly  impaired;  and 
its  exterior  dimensions  may  be  very  much  reduced  by  wear  without  impairing 
its  strength  for  service. 

In  the  manufacture  of  rifle  barrels  the  finest  machinery  is  now  used.  The 
advent  of  the  barrel-drilling  machine  has  afifected  the  manufacture  of  the 
smaller  caliber  rifle  barrels  to  a  greater  extent  than  any  other  invention  of 
the  past  fifty  years.  The  operator  can,  without  any  particular  efifort  of  me- 
chanical skill  drill  a  continuous  hole  through  solid  stock,  with  little  deviation 
from  a  straight  central  bore  of  uniform  size,  if  conditions  are  what  they 
should  be. 

No  particular  apparatus  is  required  for  starting  the  drill;  neither  is  any 
straightening  required  during  the  operation,  and  little  or  none  until  after  the 
proof  reaming. 

The  machine  is  double  and  has  a  horizontal  bed.  The  heads  are  at  the 
end  and  have  mounted  in  them  independent  spindles  parallel  to  each  other. 
On  their  inner  ends  are  chucks  for  securing  and  rotating  the  barrels  in  the 
adjustable  rests  which  support,  guide    and   control  the   starting   of  the   drills, 


18 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 


which  are  secured  in  the  shchng  carria,2:cs.    These  are  fed  positively  38  inches 
bv   a   screw  having  automatic   stops.     Tlic    screw    has    a    variety    of    speeds 


GUN  BARREL  DRILLING  MACHINE 
through  change  gearing,  to  compensate  for  different  qualities  of  stock  to  be 
drilled. 

Two  rotary  pumps  (one  for  each  barrel)  force  oil,  supplied  from  a  tank 
placed  underneath  the  machine,  through  a  series  of  tubes  into  and  through 
the  drill.  The  oil  lubricates  the  cutting  lip,  and  forces  out  the  chips  into  the 
basin  on  top  of  the  tank,  where  they  are  drained,  and  the  strained  oil  returned 
to  the  pump  again. 


RIFLING   MACHINE 


The  rilling  machine,  in  its  most  approved  form,  consists  of  a  bed  carrying 
a  head  for  lujlding  and  indexing  the  b:irrel.   and   a   carriage   having   a   spindle 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS  19 

for  holding  the  rifling  rod,  and  all  the  appliances  necessary  to  control  its  mo- 
tion  and  feed   the   cutters  automatically. 

The  head  has  a  spindle  which  holds  the  barrel  by  means  of  a  convenient 
chuck,  and  is  provided  with  an  indexing-  arrangement  by  which  it  is  automat- 
ically turned  at  the  end  of  each  stroke  of  the  rifling  rod  through  the  proper 
angle  to  give  the  required  number  of  grooves. 

The  carriage  has  a  spindle  for  holding  the  rifling  rod,  on  which  is  a  pin- 
ion meshing  with  a  rack  on  the  carriage  cross-sHde.  The  carriage  is  given  a 
reciprocating  motion  by  means  of  an  ordinary  open  and  crossed  belt-revers- 
ing mechanism,  which  is  operated  by  dogs  on  the  carriage  at  the  end  of  its 
stroke.  The  rifling  bar  controls  the  twist  of  the  rifling,  and  is  placed  above  the 
carriage,  and  connected  with  the  carriage  cross-slide  by  means  of  a  swiveled 
sHde.  It  is  pivoted  at  its  central  point  so  it  can  be  set  at  any  angle,  and  as  the 
carriage  moves  along  the  bed  a  transverse  motion  is  imparted  to  the  carriage 
cross-slide.  This  causes  the  spindle  to  turn  as  it  advances,  so  that  the  rifling 
cutter  describes  a  true  helix.  If  an  increasing  twist  is  required,  the  rifling 
bar  must  be  formed  to  suit  the  curve  of  the  rifling,  the  ordinates  of  the  curve 
of  the  rifling  bar  being  in  the  same  proportion  to  the  ordinates  of  the  devel- 
oped curve  of  the  rifling  as  the  pitch  diameter  of  the  spindle  pinion  is  to  the 
bore  of  the  gun. 

The  rifling  rod  is  provided  with  one  or  more  cutters,  which  are  fed  out 
by  means  of  a  wedge-shaped  plunger,  which  extends  beyond  the  end  of  the 
rod,  and  is  driven  in  at  the  end  of  the  stroke  by  an  automatic  feeding  device. 
This  is  arranged  so  that  the  feed  is  always  alike,  whatever  the  variation  in 
the  travel  of  the  carriage,  and  stops  when  the  cutter  has  reached  the  proper 
depth.  The  rifling  bar  being  set  at  the  proper  angle,  and  all  the  dogs  and 
stop  nuts  being  adjusted,  the  barrel  is  placed  in  the  head,  and  the  machine 
started  by  a  lever  placed  at  a  point  on  the  bed  where  the  operator  can  ob- 
serve all  the  motions  of  the  machine.  After  starting,  the  carriage  continues 
its  reciprocating  motion,  the  head  indexes  the  barrel  at  the  end  of  each  stroke, 
and  the  cutters  are  fed  until  the  grooves  have  reached  the  proper  depth,  when 
the  feed  stops,  the  machine  is  stopped  by  the  operator,  and  a  fresh  barrel  is 
put  in  place. 

This  machine  is  designed  to  take  gun  barrels  of  any  size  up  to  forty-five 
caliber  and  thirty-six  inches  long.  The  regular  machine  is  arranged  for  four, 
five  and  six  grooves  of  uniform  twist,  from  straight  to  one  turn  in  five 
inches,  either  right  or  left  hand,  but  can  be  built  for  any  number  of  grooves, 
and  for  an  increasing  twist  of  any  desired  curve.  The  cutting  speed  for  ordi- 
nary steel  is  thirty  feet  per  minute,  and  is  uniform  throughout  the  stroke.   The 


20  AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 

larger  machines  differ  somewhat  from  this  machine;  the  indexing  arrangement 
being  operated  by  hand, 

The  Pope  system  of  rifling,  noted  for  its  excellency,  has  eight  wide 
grooves,  which  are  on  a  radius  about  three  times  the  radius  of  the  bore,  and 
has  the  corners  rounded  out,  so  dirt  is  easier  removed,  and  it  is  cleaner  in 
use.  This  groove  is  cut  just  deep  enough  to  clean  the  bore  in  the  centre 
and  give  a  depth  at  the  corners  of  about  .004".  The  lands  are  very  narrow 
(about  one-fifth  to  one-sixth  the  groove).  The  bullet  is  made  with  a  base 
large  enough  to  fill  the  grooves  completely,  and  the  body  of  practically  the 
same  diameter  as  the  bore.  This  gives  a  form  that  is  gas  tight,  loads  very 
easily  (being  assisted  in  this  by  the  narrow  lands  and  choke  bore)  and  on 
upset,  instead  of  the  body  of  bullet  meeting  only  sharp  lands  and  these  cutting 
into  the  body  more  or  less  unequally,  it  is  immediately  held  to  place  by  the 
nearly  flat  centre  of  the  broad  grooves,  and  swells  out  into  grooves  equally 
and  perfectly  central;  consequently  it  is  accurate.  In  this  system  a  false  muz- 
zle and  starter  are  used,  and  the  lubricated  bullet  seated  from  the  muzzle,  the 
shell  with  powder  being  afterward  inserted  in  the  ordinary  way.  In  doing 
this  the  labor  is  very  light,  as  the  shooter  has  to  handle  nothing  over  a  few 
ounces  weight,  the  rifle  standing  m  the  loading  stand.  By  the  simple  act  of 
pushing  the  bullet  home  the  sharp,  flit  base  of  the  bullet  cuts  the  dirt  down 
behind  it,  and  does  so  exactly  alike,  each  time  giving  a  uniformly  clean  bar- 
rel without  the  labor  of  cleaning.  The  result  of  these  things  is  that  we  attain 
all  the  accuracy  of  patched  bullets,  an  1  in  ordinary  hands  more,  without  the 
labor  of  cleaning.  This  is  also  less  labor  than  the  ordinary  way  of  seating  a 
greased  bullet  in  the  breech,  having  to  invert  the  rifle  and  generally  sustain- 
ing its  weight  while  so  doing.  Other  things  being  equal,  the  man  who  tires 
himself  least  does  the  best  shooting  i  i  the  long  run,  and  if  this  is  accompa- 
nied by  increased  accuracy  of  the  rifle,  he  has  a  great  advantage  over  his  fel- 
lows who  do  otherwise.  A  properly  mide  barrel,  loaded  in  this  way.  will  shoot 
10  shot  groups  at  200  yards  that  will  average  about  i  1-4  or  i  1-2  inches  less 
diameter  than  the  same  or  an  equally  good  barrel  shot  dirty,  bullet  seated 
from  the  breech. 

To  insure  good  shooting  the  barrel  must  be  kept  free  from  dents  and 
thoroughly  clean.  A  frequent  use  of  the  Ilotz  gun  barrel  reliever  is  com- 
mended. This  is  a  simple  device  by  m.>ans  of  an  expanding  rod  and  tube  to 
force  indented  portions  outwardly.  In  the  drawing  i  shows  the  expander 
rod  and  tube  screwed  together.  2  is  a  perspective  view,  showing  part  of  the 
device.  3  is  a  longitudinal  section  showing  the  gun  barrel  with  the  device  in 
operation,   the  gun   barrel   being   represented  by  the  dotted  lines.    The  expand- 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS  21 

ing  tube  is  constructed  in  semi-cylindrical  sections,  which  are  provided  at 
their  ends  with  a  threaded  bore  communicating  witli  a  reduced  bore,  which 
are  connected  by  two  spring  sections  secured  to  a  handle.  The  expander  rod 
at  its  upper  end  is  provided  with  an  operating  handle.  The  lower  end  of  the 
expander  rod  terminates  in  a  conical  tip,  surmounted  by  a  reduced  plain 
surface,    above    which    a   threaded    surface  is  formed.    In  operation  the  expand- 

^f  


ing  tube  is  inserted  in  the  gun  barrel  with  the  semi-cylindrical  sections  oppo- 
site the  indentations  to  be  removed.  The  expander  rod  is  then  entered  at 
the  opposite  end  of  the  barrel,  and  the  tip  of  the  rod  is  inserted  in  the  tube 
until  the  threaded  surface  of  the  rod  engages  the  threaded  bore  of  the  tube, 
thus  causing  the  reduced  plain  surface  of  the  rod  to  engage  the  smooth  bore 
of  the  tube  and  force  it  outwardly  against  the  depressed  portion  of  the 
barrel. 

There  are  numerous  cleaners  on  the  market.  The  Tomlinson  is  excellent. 
It  is  made  in  8,  lo,  12,  14,  16  and  20  gauges,  and  will  fit  any  standard  rod, 
and  is  so  designed  as  to  fit  the  entire  length  of  the  inside  of  shotgun  bar- 
rels, notwithstanding  the  various  chokes  adopted  by  the  different  makers, 
and  will  therefore  remove  all  lead,  rust  spots  and  foreign  matter  from  breech 
to  muzzle,   and  leave  the   barrels  perfectly  clean. 

The  sides  are  of  brass  wire  gauze  wrapped  over  wood,  and  although  it 
cuts  all  lead  and  dirt  from  the  barrels,  it  is  too  soft  to  injure  them  in  any 
way.  In  fact,  the  constant  use  of  this  cleaner  will  improve  the  barrels  by 
giving  them  a  lengthwise  polish.  It  should  be  inserted  at  the  breech  and  not 
allowed  to  entirely  leave  the  barrels  at  the  muzzle.  In  a  "pump"  gun  start 
the  cleaner  from  the  muzzle  by  compressing.  A  drop  of  oil  should  be  put  on 
the  wire  gauze,  as  it  cuts  more  easily.  By  giving  the  cleaner  a  slight  jar  the 
dirt  may  be  removed  from  the  wire  sides,  and  when  they  become  worn  they 
can   be    easily    replaced  by   unscrewing  the  back  cap. 

A  barrel  cleaner  has  been  recently  invented,  by  the  use  of  wliich  any 
powder  or  residue  remaining  in  the  barrel  is  dissolved,  and  thus  makes  rust- 
ing impossible.  The  apparatus  consists  of  a  tin  receptacle,  from  which  the 
steam— generated  by  an  alcohol  lamp  placed  underneath— is  led  into  the  bar- 


22  AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 

rel  through  a  glass  tube.  The  principle  is  the  same  as  in  the  inhaler  used  by 
physicians.  On  the  inside  of  every  barrel  there  are  small  grooves  caused  by 
the  tools  used  in  manufacturing  and  partly  in  the  material;  these  are  not  visi- 
ble to  the  naked  eye.  Into  these,  as  also  into  the  pores,  the  residue  settles, 
gases  form  and  rusting  results. 

A  proof  that  the  formation  of  rust  depends  upon  the  nature  of  the  mate- 
rial of  the  barrel,  or  rather  upon  the  existence  of  the  tiny  scratches  and 
grooves  mentioned,  is  that  rust  occurs  in  the  same  spots  again  and  again. 
Even  though  the  formation  of  rust  has  been  much  reduced  since  the  use  of  the 
newer  nitro  powders  and  primers,  in  some  powders  it  is  still  strong  enough  to 
render  good  rifles  useless  in  a  short  time. 

PISTOLS. 

A  Pistol  is  a  small  rifle,  usually  aimed  and  fired  with  one  hand.    A  revol- 
ver is  a  pistol  having  a  revolving  cylinder   or   revolving  barrels.      The   term 
pistol,     is,     however,     applied     indiscriminately     by    many    to    both     single- 
shot  pistols  and  revolvers.     The  earliest    single-shot   pistols   were   of   foreign 
manufacture,   and    of   the   dueUng   pattern.    These,  frequently  of  smooth  bore, 
were   followed  by  military   rifled  pistols,  made  by  machinery.    These,  in  turn, 
with   the   advent   of  the   metallic   cartridge,  were  followed  by  a  variety  of  cheap 
single-shot,  breech-loading  pistols  of  small    caliber.      The    first    American    re- 
volvers were   crude;  but  meritorious  because  of  the  reserve  fire  and  ability  to 
fire  rapidly.     The  changes  from  percussion    to    rim-fire    cartridges,    and    from 
rim-fire   to   central-fire   cartridges   retarded  improvements  in  the  aim  to  increase 
accuracy.     The  revolver  to-day  holds  its  popularity,  and  is  owned  and  shot  by 
most  pistol  experts;  yet  the  single-shot  pistol  is  generally  used  '.n  target  and 
match  shooting.    They  are  made  in  calibers  from  .22  to  .50,  most  of  them  be- 
infT  made  in  the  .22  caliber,  the  Stevens,  Wurfikin  and  Smith  &  Wesson  be- 
ing chambered  and  rifled  for  the  long-rifle  cartridge  in  the  .22  caliber,  which 
is  extremely  accurate;   .32,  .38   and   .44  calibers  arc  also  very  popular.     With 
few   exceptions,   modern  American   pistols  and  revolvers  take  the  metallic  car- 
tridges,  which   are   made    in    enormous  quantities  and  variety  of  styles  by  our 
standard    cartridge    companies.      The   invention  of  tlie  revolver  is  very  far  from 
new,   specimens,   with   even   the   present  system  of  rotation,  being  still   in  ex- 
istence, which   were  manufactured  at  the   beginning   of   the    seventeenth    cen- 
turv.     Probably  the  first  revolver  to  suggest  itself  was  one  in   which   several 
barrels  were  mounted  on  an  axis,  and  made  to  revolve  by  the  action  of  the 
trigger,  so  that  their  powder  pans  came  succcessively  under  the  action  of  the 
lock.      This   principle   was  never  entirely     abandoned,    and    in    the    reign    of 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS  23 

George  IV.  was  produced  a  pistol  called  the  "Mariette,''  which  had  from  four 
to  twenty-four  small  barrels,  bored  in  a  solid  mass  of  metal,  made  to  re- 
volve as  the  trigger  was  drawn  back.  At  close  quarters,  such  a  pistol  would 
doubtless  have  been  useful;  but  its  great  weight  and  cumbrous  mechanism 
rendered  aim  extremely  unsteady.  Contemporaneously  from  the  first  with  the 
revolving  barrels  went  forth  the  formation  of  a  revolving  chamber  or  breech, 
pierced  with  several  cylindrical  apertures  to  receive  the  charges.  Being 
made  to  revolve,  each  motion  brought  a  chamber  into  line  with  the  one  bar- 


rel, common  to  all,  whereupon  the  weapon  was  ready  for  use.  Numerous  pat- 
ents for  this  principle  have  been  taken  out,  including  one  by  the  celebrated 
Marquis  of  Worcester  in  1661.  Various  improvements  were  made,  especially 
in  the  mode  of  causing  revolution,  an  American,  by  the  name  of  Elisha  H. 
Collier,  patenting  such  a  weapon  in  the  United  States  and  England  about 
1818.  In  1835  Colonel  Samuel  Colt  brought  to  a  conclusion  experiments  of 
some  years'  standing,  and  patented  his  world-renowned  Colt's  revolver,  which 
was  a  great  advance  on  all  previous  attempts,  and  is  substantially  still  in  use. 
Several  inventors  are  struggling  with  the  problem  of  magazine  pistols. 
The  advantages  of  such  an  arm  are  great  and  obvious.  So  long  as  the  powder 
chamber  and  the  barrel  are  separate  the  revolver  cannot  lay  claim  to  the  title 
of  an  arm  of  precision  or  high  power.  The  break  in  the  arm  where  the  cyl- 
inder and  barrel  meet,  or  are  supposed  to  meet,  permits  a  considerable  escape 
of  gas  with  a  resulting  loss  of  pressure  and  consequent  reduction  of  velocity. 
Any  attempt  to  increase  the  velocity  by  the  use  of  longer  and  more  power- 
ful ammunition  adds  unduly  to  the  length  and  weight  of  the  arm  without 
equivalent  gain,  for  the  higher  and  longer  sustained  the  powder  pressure  the 
greater  the  escape  of  gass.  Moreover,  the  present  ammunition  gives  quite  re- 
coil enough.  The  defects  of  the  revolver  seem  inseparable  from  the  funda- 
mental principles  of  its  construction,  and  it  is  a  recognition  of  this  fact  that 
has  led  to  the  present  investigations  of  the   possibilities   of  maga/ine   pistols. 


24  AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 

Present  indications  seem  to  point  to  the  following  characteristics,  which  it  is 
desirable  for  the  arm  to  possess:  A  calibre  of  about  .32  (say  8  millimeters);  a 
lead  bullet  with  nickel,  steel  or  copper  envelope;  a  length  of  barrel,  meas- 
ured from  the  base  of  the  bullet,  of  about  twenty-five*  calibers;  a  bottle- 
shaped  cartridge  with  unusually  large  but  short  powder  space,  to  reduce  the 
length  of  the  cartridge  as  nmch  as  possible,  and  charged  with  quick-burning 
powder;  the  energy  of  recoil  to  be  utilized  to  extract,  load  and  cock;  a  light 
pull,  say  not  over  four  pounds;  a  cocking  device  for  single-shot  firing;  a  de- 
tachable magazine  to  hold  four  to  eight  cartridges;  a  simple  efficient  safety 
catch,  convenient  to  the  touch,  but  protected  against  possible  disturbance 
while  drawing  the  pistol  or  returning  it  to  the  holster;  a  smooth  exterior,  as 
free  from  projections  as  possible;  a  strong,  powerful  grip;  lastly,  as  great 
simplicity  and  strength  of  parts  as  are  consistent  with  proper  lightness  and 
other  qualities.  What  desirable  cjualities  may  be  sacrificed  to  secure  absolute 
efficiency  only  experience  can  decide.  It  is  too  often  forgotten  that  arms 
must  be  suited  to  those  who  are  to  use  them,  and  many  desirable  features 
must  often  be  omitted,  or  their  presence  may  make  the  weapon  almost  value- 
less for  its  designed  use. 

The  United  States  Revolver  Association  has  recently  classified  and  defined 
the  various  styles  of  pistols  and  revolvers.  For  match  purposes  it  has  made 
the  following  classifications:  Military  revolver,  any  revolver,  pocket  revolver, 
magazine  pistol  and  any  pistol.  A  military  revolver  is  defined  as  a  revolver 
that  has  been  adopted  by  any  Government  for  the  armament  of  its  Army  and 
Navy,  and  must  conform  in  model,  trigger  pull,  sights  and  ammunition  to  re- 
volvers used  in  military  service..  Any  revolver  is  defined  as  a  revolver  of  any 
calibre,  maximum  weight,  three  pounds,  maximum  length  of  bore,  including 
cylinder,  ten  inches.  A  pocket  revolver  may  be  of  .32  or  .38  calibre,  weight 
not  more  than  twenty-five  ounces,  and  have  a  maximum  length  of  barrel,  ex- 
clusive of  cylinder,  of  four  inches.  A  magazine  pistol  is  one  with  a  magazine 
other  than  a  revolving  magazine,  and  with  a  maximum  length  of  bore  of  ten 
inches.  Any  pistol  is  described  as  any  breech  or  muzzle  loading  pistol,  with 
a  maximum  weight  of  three  pounds,  and  a  maximum  length  of  bore  of  ten 
inches.  The  rules  regarding  trigger  pull  are  that  the  minimum  shall  be  four 
pounds  for  military  revolver,  two  and  one-half  pounds  for  any  revolver,  four 
pounds  for  magazine  pistol,  two  and  a  half  pounds  for  pocket  revolver  and  two 
pounds  for  any  pistol.  On  military  and  pocket  revolvers  the  front  and  rear 
sights  must  be  fixed.  On  any  revolver  and  any  pistol  a  lateral  sliding  bar 
may  be  used  on  rear  open  eights.  Front  and  rear  sights  in  any  revolver  and 
any  pistol  must  not  be  more  than  ten  inches  apart. 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 
CARTRIDGES. 


25 


Paper  cartridges  are  but  little  used  at  the  present  time.  There  are  two 
kinds  in  the  United  States  service — the  ball  cartridge,  made  with  a  single 
elongated  ball,  and  the  blank  cartridge.  The  paper  is  first  cut  into  strips  of  a 
width  equal  to  the  length  of  a  trapezoid,  using  the  pattern  as  a  guide.  A 
cutting-machine  like  that  used  by  book-binders  facilitates  the  operation  when 
many  hands  are  employed. 

To  form  the  cylinder,  lay  the  trapezoids  on  the  table  with  the  sides  perpen- 
dicular to  the  bases,  toward  the  workman,  the  broad  end  to  the  left.  Take 
the  former  in  the  right  hand  and  lay  it  on  a  trapezoid,  the  groove  in  the 
former   against   the   right   edge   of  the   paper,   bringing  the   pointed   end   one- 


)>  C 


third  inch  from  the  broad  end  of  the  paper;  envelop  the  former  with  the 
paper;  then,  with  the  fingers  of  the  left  hand  laid  flat  upon  the  paper,  turn  the 
former  and  roll  all  the  paper  upon  it;  hold  it  firmly  with  the  left  hand,  with 
the  choking-string  in  the  right,  take  one  turn  around  the  cylinder  at  about 
one-third  inch  from  the  end;  hold  the  former  firmly  in  the  left  hand  and 
draw  gently  upon  the  choking-string,  pressing  at  the  same  time  with  the  left 
forefinger  upon  the  projecting  end  of  the  cylinder,  thus  folding  it  neatly  down 
upon  the  end  of  the  former.  Having  choked  the  cyUnder  close,  carry  it  to  the 
right  side,  and  with  the  thread  m  the  right  hand,  take  two  half-hitches  firmly 
around  the  part  that  has  been  choked;  cut  the  thread  on  the  knife-blade  and 
press  the  choke  in  a  cavity  in  the  table;  place  the  former  with  a  cylinder  on  it, 
on  a  second  trapezoid;  put  a  ball  over  the  end  of  the  former;  roll  the  paper 
on  the  former  and  the  ball;  hold  the  cylinder  in  the  left  hand  and  choke  and 


26  AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 

tie  it  as  thus  described  for  the  inner  cylinder;  withdraw  the  former,  pressing- 
the  cylinder  with  the  left  hand,  and  place  it  in  the  box. 

The  following  implements  are  required  to  f^ll  the  cylinder:  One  charger, 
made  of  a  cylinder  of  wood  or  brass  pierced  with  two  holes  through  its  length, 
holding  the  exact  charge  of  powder;  a  funnel  attached  to  one  end  of  the 
cylinder,  and  a  discharge  pipe  to  the  other.  The  holes  in  the  cyhnder  are 
made  to  communicate  and  shut  ofif,  alternately,  from  the  funnel  holding  the 
powder,  and  the  discharge-pipe  at  the  lower  end,  by  a  reciprocating  motion 
given  to  the  cyhnder  by  the  hands.  Fill  the  funnel  with  powder,  insert  the 
discharge-pipe  in  a  cartridge,  holding  the  charger  in  both  hands,  and  turn 
the  cylinder;  the  charge  of  powder  is  deposited  in  the  cartridge;  insert  the 
pipe  in  the  next,  and  turn  the  cylinder  in  the  opposite  direction,  and  contmue 


in  the  same  way  for  all  the  rest.  Cartridges  may  be  filled  with  a  copper 
charger  made  to  hold  the  exact  charge,  pouring  the  powder  by  means  of  a 
small  funnel,  which  is  inserted  in  the  cartridge. 

To  pinch  the  cartridge,  take  it  in  the  right  hand,  strike  it  lightly  on  the 
table  to  settle  the  powder;  flatten  the  empty  part  of  the  cylinder  and  bend  it 
flush  with  the  top  of  the  powder  at  right  angles  to  the  cartridge,  the  oblique 
side  of  the  trapezoid  on  top,  the  cartridge  standing  vertical  on  the  table;  fold 
the  flattened  part  in  the  direction  of  its  length,  with  two  folds  from  the  ex- 
terior, meeting  in  the  middle;  bend  this  folded  end  back  on  itself  and  strike 
it  on  the  table  to  set  the  folds. 

When  making  blank  cartridges,  cut  the  paper  into  trapezoids,  as  for  the 
ball-cartridges;  roll  the  trapezoid  on  the  former  one  turn,  fold  down  this 
much  of  the  paper  on  the  head  of  the  former  with  the  left  hand;  roll  the  rest 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 


27 


of  the  paper;  fold  down  the  rest  of  the  paper;  touch  the  fold  with  a  little  paste 
on  the  finger;  press  the  end  of  the  informer  on  a  ball  imbedded  in  the  table 
for  the  purpose;  remove  the  cylinder  from  the  former;  place  it  in  a  box  to 
dry.     Fill  the  cyHnders,  as  described,  for  ball-cartridges. 

The  cap  for  small-arms  is  made  of  copper.  It  is  very  slightly  conical,  with 
a  rim  or  flange  at  the  open  end;  it  has  four  slits,  extending  about  half  the 
height  of  the  cap.  The  cap  is  charged  with  fulminate  of  mercury,  mixed  with 
half  its  weight  of  niter,  the  object  of  the  niter  being  to  render  the  fulminate 
less  explosive  and  to  give  body  to  the  flame.  To  protect  the  percussion- 
powder  from  moisture,  and  also  to  secure  it  from  falling  out,  it  is  covered 
over,  in  each  cap,  with  a  drop  of  shellac  varnish.     The  copper  for  making  the 


FLAT      BASE. 


caps  is  obtained  in  sheets  forty-eight  inches  long  and  fourteen  inches  wide, 
weighing  three  pounds;  a  variation  of  four  ounces,  more  or  less,  is  allowed. 
The  copper  should  be  pure,  free  from  seams,  holes  or  blisters,  well  annealed, 
and  as  evenly  rolled  as  possible,  with  straight  and  smooth  edges.  The  cop- 
per is  cleaned  by  immersion  in  a  pickle  made  of  one  part  (by  measure)  of 
sulphuric  acid  and  forty  parts  water;  it  is  scoured  with  fine  sand  and  a  hand- 
brush,  and  washed  in  running  water;  after  which  it  is  well  dried  in  clean  saw- 
dust and  rubbed  over  with  a  cloth  slightly  oiled;  it  is  then  ready  for  the 
mach  ne. 

The  modern  center-fire  metallic  cartridges  may  be  divided  into  three 
classes:  the  solid  attached  head,  the  solid  head  and  the  folded  head.  There 
are  two  varieties  of  folded-head  cartridges,  the  reinforced  and  non-reinforced. 
As  regards  priming,  the  above-named  classes  are  divided  into  outside  and  in- 


28  AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 

cide  primed  cartridges,  and  may  be  designated  respectively  as  re-loading  and 
non-reloading  cartridges.  Tlicy  are  generally  made  from  sheet  copper  or 
brass,  the  latter  material  having  more  elasticity,  and  the  former  more  uni- 
formitv  and  durability. 

Manufacture— Sheet  metal  of  the  required  thickness,  from  .025  inch  to  .09 
inch,  is  used  for  the  various  kinds  of  cartridges.  This  is  fed  to  a  double- 
£Cting  ('.ie  and  punch,  which  cuts  out  a  disk  and  forms  it  into  a  cylindrical 
cup  at  one  operation.  The  cup  is  reduced  to  a  cylinder  of  the  required  length 
in  from  four  to  six  operations  by  dies  and  punches,  and  is  called  drawing  or 
reducing.  The  cylindrical  shell  is  trimmed  to  a  standard  length  in  a  machine 
called  the  case-trimmer.  After  washing,  the  shells  or  cases  have  a  flange 
formed  at  the  closed  end  by  pressure  in  a  special  machine  called  the  header. 


The  headed  case  is  tapered  to  a  standard  size.  The  open  end  is  made  cylin- 
drical for  the  length  the  bullet  enters  it,  so  as  to  inclose  the  latter  snugly; 
and  if  it  be  inside-primed,  like  the  present  service  cup-anvil  cartridge,  the 
anvil  is  inserted  and  fastened  at  the  same  time  by  crimping  the  case  around 
its  edge. 

Priming  is  done  in  a  machine  called  the  primer.  For  outside  priming  a 
percussion-cap  is  used,  made  in  the  ordinary  way.  Priming  of  fulminate  of 
mercuiy  should  not  under  any  circumstances,  be  deposited  on  brass,  as  it 
forms  an  amalgam,  and  rapidly  deteriorates  the  metal  and  priming.  Shellac 
varnish  is  used  to  protect  the  surface  of  brass.  No  injurious  deterioration  from 
this  cause  1  as  been  noticed  in  the  use  of  copper. 

Among  the  first  of  metal  cartridges  of  American  invention  is  the  Morse, 
which  was  brought  out  a  short  time  before  the  war  of  the  rebellion,  but  not 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 


29 


thoroughly  experimented  with  at  the  time  or  introduced  into  service.  Its 
objectionable  features  are  apparent  in  the  light  of  progress  made.  Its  merits 
over  paper  or  similar  ammunition  are  apparent,  the  chief,  perhaps,  being  that 
it  was  designed  as  a  self-primed  cartridge,  had  a  flanged-head  for  extract- 
ing the  case,  and  that  it  reduced  the  operations  of  loading. 

About  the  same  time  the  Burnside,  Maynard  and  a  few  others  were  pro- 
duced, some  of  which  were  good  in  their  day  and  for  the  arms  for  which  they 
were  designed,  but  were  fired  by  means  of  a  cap,  fhrough  a  vent,  at  some  dis- 
tance from  the  cartridge,  and  were  extracted  by  the  fingers.  With  them  there 
was  not  that  necessary  nicety  of  fit  to  the  chamber  of  the  gun,  the  joint  was 
not  absolutely  closed,  and  the  failures  to  explode  were  as  frequent  as  with 

'1^ 


itm 


the  old-fashioned  paper  cartridge  and  percussion-cap.  Such  failures  would, 
nowadays,  be  considered  a  most  unwarranted  percentage  in  any  metallic  am- 
munition laying  claim  to  excellence,  and,  in  the  best  known  varieties,  do  not 
occur  to  the  extent  of  one  in  one  thousand  rounds;  in  fact,  many  attam  a 
much  higher  standard  of  surety  than  indicated  by  this  figure.  The  records 
of  the  testing-rounds  show  long-continued  firing  and  consumption  of  thou- 
sands of  rounds  without  failure  at  all  from  any  cause,  and  the  summation  of 
a  year's  practice  and  test,  in  proof  of  manufacture,  exhibits  but  an  exceed- 
ingly small  percentage  of  such  failures. 

For  some  time  the  idea  of  combining  the  primer  and  cartridge  did  not 
ass  rt  itself,  but  some  inventions  were  pushed  in  this  direction,  and  the  nrn- 
pr  med  cartridge  was  produced.  In  this  the  fulminate  composition  was 
placed  in  the  folded  head  of  the  case.  This  mode  of  priming  requires  a  large 
charge    of   the   priming   composition,   which,   being   thrown   into   the    fold    by 


30 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 


swiveling,  the  entire  circumference  of  the  head  was  not  always  primed  thor- 
oughly, and  as  the  cartridge  is  exploded  by  striking  the  rim  at  a  part  of  the 
head  under  the  hammer,  it  not  infrequently  happened  that  it  failed  from 
the  point  struck  not  having  any  priming.  The  large  charge  required,  also 
(about  five  grains  against  one-half  grain  for  the  center-fire),  was  a  further 
objection  to  rim-priming;  the  exploding  of  so  large  a  quantity  of  quick- 
powder  in  the  folded  head,  the  weak  part  of  the  cartridge,  tending  to  strain 
and  open  the  fold  to  bursting,  as  it  frequently  did.  Another  objection  to  rim 
primed  cartridges  is  that  they  are  more  hable  to  accident  in  handling,  and  in 
shock  of  transportation,  and  in  those  incident  to  service;  in  fact,  a  number  of 
instances  of  explosion  in  the  magazine  of  repeating-arms,  and  in  patent  car- 


tridge-boxes for  service  of  such,  have  been  reported,  by  which  serious  injury 
resulted  to  the  soldier. 

Hence,  efforts  to  produce  a  still  more  reliable  and  satisfactory  cartridge, 
and  the  development,  production  and  general  adoption  for  service  of  what  is 
now  so  well  known  as  center-primed  metallic  ammunition,  its  advantages  be- 
ing sure  explosion  when  struck  by  the  point  of  the  firing-pin;  less  of  fulminate 
and  less  strain  on  the  head  of  the  cartridge;  greater  security  in  handling  and 
using  under  all  exigencies  of  service.  These  cartridges  have  been  subjected 
to  the  severest  tests  to  demonstrate  their  capability  to  resist  all  accidents, 
such  as  mashing  up  boxes  of  ammunition  and  even  firing  into  them  with 
bullets.  Only  the  cartridges  actually  impinged  upon  exploded  under  such 
tests,  their  neighbors  being  only  blackened  and  not  otb.erwise  damaged.  The 
safely  of  handling  and  transporting  this  ammunition  in  comparison  with  that 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 


31 


of  the  old-fashioned  kind  is  vastly  in  its  favor,  and  the  risk  attending  its  car- 
riage is  almost  nothing.  Its  greatly  superior  quality  to  resist  exposure  of 
climate,  moisture,  etc.,  has  also  been  proven  by  such  exceedingly  severe  tests 
that  it  may  be  asserted  to  be  practically  water-proof.  A  central  and  direct 
blow  on  the  point  primed  is  an  essential  and  highly  important  feature  of  the 


center-primed  cartridge;  its  general  adoption  and  adaptation  of  all  breech- 
loading  service  small-arms  to  its  use,  is  the  best  proof  of  its  acknowledged 
svperiority.  Simple  modifications  of  the  form  of  the  head  adapt  it  to  safe  use 
in  magazine  arms,  even  though  the  front  of  the  bullet  rests  on  the  head  of 
the  preceding  cartridge,  while  with  all  varieties  of  repriming  ammunition  the 
ccrtral  fire  is  a  sine  qua  non. 

The  Berdan,  made  in  large  numbers  for  the  Russian  Government,  for  use 
in  the  Berdan  breech-loading  rifle,  has  been  most  strictly  and  severely  tested 
during  manufacture,  and  has  proved  of  great  excellence.  It  is  exceedingly 
ingenious;  its  re-enforcement  simple  and  efifective;  its  capacity  as  a  reloader 
fully  tested  and  demonstrated  by  prolonged  and  repeated  trial,  daily,  during 
production  of  millions  of  rounds;  a  number  of  the     shells     being     reloaded, 


primed,  and  fired  ten  times,  and  much  more  extended  trials  have  been  had  for 
special  test  of  the  endurance  of  the  cases  in  this  particular.  Its  chief  distin- 
guishing feature  is  that  its  anvil  is  of  the  same  continuous  piece  of  metal  as 
that  of  which  the  case  is  made.  Herein  there  is  no  possible  displacement  or 
m.isplacement  of  the  anvil,  and  it  has  a  fixed  position  with  respect  to  the 
primer.  The  cartridge  is  singular  in  this  respect,  and  superior  to  its  rivals 
that  require  a  separate  anvil.  In  it  was  a  happy  idea  hit  upon  by  the  inventor 
of  making  his  anvil  by  a  simple  return  of  the  metal  of  the  pocket  for  the 
primer.     All  other  anvils  are  its  inferiors  in  that  they  have  to  be  handled  in 


32  AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 

assembling  the  parts  of  the  shell.  Another  advantage  is,  it  presents  a  point 
to  the  primer  inside,  rendering  it  sensitive  to  the  blow  of  the  hammer.  The 
use  of  the  special  Hobbs'  primer  is  most  excellent  in  this  combination.  Other 
varieties  of  an  excellent  re-enforcement  may  be  referred  to,  as  exhibited  in 
the  drawings. 

These  re-enforcements  may  be  accomplished  in  various  ways,  as  by  a  nng 
of  expanding  metal,  a  ring  of  solder,  felt  or  papier-mache  wads,  etc.  When  t   e 


ring  oi  this  metal  is  used  as  a  re-enforcement  it  is  best  applied,  and  perhaps 
only  effectually,  in  those  cartridges  having  a  pocket  or  return  of  the  head  for 
the  priming.  In  these  cases  it  should  be  so  formed  as  to  act  by  expansion 
against  the  walls  of  the  case  and  of  the  pocket,  to  cut  off  the  escape  of  gas  to 
the  folded  head  in  both  directions.  The  solder  ring  has  been  found  to  be  a 
good  re-cnforoe  also,  and  in  the   wrappcd-mctal  and   some  other  varieties  of 


m^^^^f^f^mm^ 


cartridges  it  serves  also  to  attach  the  flanged-head  to  the  body  of  the  case, 
was  first  used  here  for  this  purpose,  and  that  it  acted  also  as  a  re-enforce  wa| 
a  resultin-r  discovery.     The  felt  or  papier-mache  wad  is  not  believed  to  be  "^ 
good  or  to  hold  the  head  as  securely,  although  it  is  extensively  used  ni  th<_ 

various  forms  of  Boxer  ammunition.     It  is  not  believed  (hat  a  simple  nng  of 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 


33 


any  soft  metal  of  any  shape,  as  lead  or  its  alloys,  forced  into  the  case  at  the 
head,  will  act  as  a  re-enforce,  as  has  been  claimed.  No  matter  how  closely 
th'e  metallic  surfaces  are  in  contact,  if  the  re-enforcement  does  not  expand 
more  promptly  and  as  fully  as  the  case  itself  under  all  the  pressure  of  the  !?as, 


it  does  not  strengthen  or  re-enforce  the  poii^t  to  whi_ch_^it  is  applied.  A  re- 
enforcing  ring  works  well,  applied  to  a  Martin  cartridge, 'as -well,  in  fact,  as 
to  a  Berdan,  and  in  the  same  manner.  An  ol:^jection  to  the  Martin  is  its  small 
anvil  for  small-headed  cartridges,  and  their  liabilitx^to'burn  t'lae  primino-  com- 
position inclosing  the  pocket  on  the  anvil,  a  difficulty  met  with  in  their  manu- 


facture, with  the  bar-anvil,  and  which  can  only  be  wholly  eliminated  by  careful 
inspection  of  primed  cases. 

A  very  notable  cartridge  is  the  Boxer,  as  made  at  the  Royal  Arsenal,  Wool- 
wich, for  the  Snider  and  Martini-Henry  rifles.  A  perusal  of  the  English  re- 
ports of  their  small-arm  ordnance  board  will  show  the  most  casual  reader  that 


the  failures  of  these  cartridges,  from  all  causes,  have  been  what  would  be 
considered  in  our  trials  of  the  best  American  cartridges  as  a  very  large  per- 
centage, sufficient  to  warrant  the  abandonment  of  a  cartridge  that  failed  so 
often.     Unlike  its  American  prototype,  from  which  it  was  originally  taken,  its 


34 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 


parts  are  more  numerous,  and  the  steps  of  operations  in  its  produetion  more 
than  double  those  in  that  simple  cartridge.  Its  cost,  hence,  is  also  large,  con- 
sidering the  low  prices  of  labor  and  materials,  and  the  very  large  numbers 
fabricated  in  tlie  country  of  its  adoption;  a  cost  very  much  in  excess,  it  is  be- 
lieved, of  that  of  anv  other  of  the  most  approved  American  varieties  of  metal 


cartridges  fabricated  under  similar  advantages  of  cheap  labor,  low-priced  ma- 
terials, and  large  production.  It  does  not  appear  to  be  well  adapted  to  stand 
the  shocks  of  transportation  or  exigencies  of  service,  is  easily  indented  and 
disfigured,  so  much  so  as  seriously  to  interfere,  with  ease  of  loacUng.  Per 
contra,  it  is  beautifully  expanded  and  brought  into  shape  of  the  exact  walls 
of  the  chamber  in  firing,  and  extracts  readily  if  the  head  holds,  which,  from  the 
reports,  seems  not  always  to  be  the  case.    It  is  not  suitable  in  its  present  state 


m 

M 

f  'fi'li^^H 

^1^1 

m 

■i'i'S^M 

"■It^'m 

:;ffl^W 

;|fiT'>M 

''Wk 

»\]2BI 

'W^ 

i$!^^ 

-i^H 

,t'i^JEm 

'  'wM 

''^fl 

1  ,'^Ul 

f..-^H_ 

^ 

ma^ 

/tt^l^^S 

and  form  for  usr  a  a  rcloadcr.  whatever  may  hi"  clainu'd  lor  ii  in  tliis  respect, 
and  it  is  doubtful  if  il  could  be  made  so.  The  idea  of  such  a  use  does  not  seem 
to  receive  encouragement  from  recent  reports.  Its  attachable  heads,  from 
the  peculiar  and  awkward  mode  of  f.xing  them,  are  not  exact  or  even,  and  may 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 


35 


not  always  be  firmly  put  on.  Made  of  iron,  it  is  believed  they  never  should 
be  for  cartridges  subjected  to  all  varieties  of  climate.  The  use  of  this  metal 
for  a  cartridge,  otherwise  so  costly,  is  the  poorest  kind  of  economy. 

There  are  several  varieties  of  solid  heads,  as  the  Hotchkiss,  the  Dutch,  the 


Ignited  States  Cartridge  Company's,  etc.  The  head,  here,  is  re-enforced  by 
using  a  thick  sheet-metal  strip  to  form  the  case,  and  leaving  sufficient  stock  in 
the  head,  in  drawing  the  case,  to  flow  out  and  form  the  flange  solidly.  That 
this  is  effective  in  making  a  very  strong  case  is  unquestionable;  its  manufac- 
ture requires  some  heavier  plant  for  operations;  its  cost  in  metal  and  produc- 
tion is  somewhat  greater;  and  it  is  believed  that  the  head  is  unnecessarily 
strong  for  the  present  work  required  by  well-constructed  breech-loading 
small-arms. 

Experience,  it  is  believed,  has  fully  demonstrated  that,  in  order  to  insure 
the  best  results  in  service,  our  small  Army  should  be  furnished  with  the  most 
approved  arms  and  material  practicable.  To  efifect  this,  the  careful  selection 
of  an  excellent  (the  best  if  it  can  be  determined  upon,  for  the  chief  trouble  of 
such  a  selection  seems  to  be  from  embarras  de  richesse  in  this  branch  of  in- 
vention) system  of  breech-loading  rifle  small-arm,  and  suitably  working  effi- 
cient ammunition   for  the   service   of  the  sam.%     is     pre-eminently     desirable. 


WIM(   III    'Ml.Il_LiUJJa_ESg 


If,  from  the  abundance  of  good  things  to  be  chosen  from,  the  difficulty  of 
selection  can  be  overcome,  the  rest,  with  adequate  appropriations,  is  com- 
paratively easy.  A  prime  essential  of  such  manufacture  should  be  the  insti- 
tution of  a  rigorous  standard  from  which  there  should  not  be  the  slightest  de- 


36  AMERICAN   SMALL  ARMS 

parture,  except  by  competent  authority.  Especially  should  this  apply  to  the 
chamber  of  the  gun  or  seat  of  the  cartridge,  the  dimensions  of  which  should 
be  invariably  fixed,  and  the  greatest  nicety  of  finish  and  adjustment  of  breech- 
mechanism  insisted  upon.     In  other  words,  the  chambers  should,  within  the 


limits  of  mechanical  construction,  be  of  the  same  dimensions,  to  the  thou- 
sandth of  an  inch,  both  for  the  body  of  the  cartridge  and  its  flange  or  head. 
The  seat  of  the  extractor  should  not  occupy  any  part  whatever  of  the  body 
of  the  chamber,  and  its  surface  should  be  as  smooth  as  it  is  possible  to  make 
it.  The  depth  of  the  flange  recess  of  the  chamber  should  only  be  sufficiently 
deeper  than  the  thickness  of  the  head  of  the  cartridge  to  be  employed  in  it  to 
allow  for  the  easy  closing  of  the  breech-lock,  the  small  variations  of  thickness 
of  metal  from  which  the  case  is  made,  and  of  necessary  manufacture.  A  dif- 
ference of  o".oi  is  believed  to  be  ample  for  all  purposes;  its  diameter  may  be 
at     least  o".03  larger  than  that  of  the  cartridge-head,  which  should  itself  be 


great  enough  to  allow  a  secure  holil  to  the  extractor.  All  the  angles  of  tTie 
chamber  should  be  slightly  rountled.  The  length  of  the  chamber  should  be 
but  a  fe-w  luindredlhs  of  an  inch  longer  than  that  of  the  case  of  the  cartridge, 
and  its  thn;at,  or  seat   of  the  i)n)jecting  part  ol  tie  bullet,  should  be  accur- 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 


37 


ately  attended  to,  so  that,  with  the  cartridge  in  situ,  the  breech-block  being 
closed,  it  should  always  occupy  the  same  relative  position  with  respect  to  its 
bearings  in  the  chamber,  and  the  bullet  have  the  smallest  necessary  distance 
To  move  before  eng.-^ging  the  grooves  of  the  barrel,  which  engagement  should 


be  well  advanced  befotre  the  bullet  is  free  from  the  case,  to  insure  that  it  will 
start  with  its  axis  in  the  direction  of  the  axis  of  the  barrel.  The  expansion  of 
the  case  in  firing  should  immediately  shut  off  escape  of  gas  around  its  body 
to  the  rear — the  only  limits  in  difference  of  diameter  of  chamber  and  case 
allowable  being  those  necessary  to  insure  the  required  ease  in  loading,  and 
there  should  be  no  fouling  of  the  chamber  in  firing  ball-cartridges. 


&^^^^Qm.T^B U  LLET    yW 


A  Httle  reflection  will  convince  all  that  an  invariable  chamber  is  the  prime 
essential  to  the  proper  performance  of  the  cartridge,  assuming,  of  course,  that 
Ihe  latter  is  also  as  carefully  made.  This  once  obtained,  let  us  insist  on  the 
case  of  the  cartridge   fitting  as   closely  as   practicable— the   limit  of  variation 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 


allowable  being  only  tlie  very  small  unavoidable  range  of  thickness  in  metal 
strips,  and  a  reasonable  life  or  wear  of  dies  and  punches  necessary  to  the 
production   of  aninmnition   by  the   quantity.     These  degrees   of  perfection   can 


be  obtained  only  by  the  adoption  and  preservation  of  exact  standard  gauges, 
by  frequent  and  every-day  careful  inspection  of  material  and  work,  and  keep- 
ing the  attention  of  mechanics  directed  to  the  necessity  of  constant  watchful- 


ness  over  and  fre(iuent  verihcation  of  their  tools,  dies  and  i)unches,  m  currei 
use  to  insure  the  desired  nicety.  Without  this  constant  care  in  keeping  up 
to  the  standard,  work,  liowever  satisfactorily  and  successfully  inaugurated, 
will  soon  become  indifferent. 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 


In  the  multi-ball  cartridge  two  or  more  bullets  or  pieces  of  lead  are  sub- 
stituted for  the  ordinary  bullet,  with  the  idea  of  doing  more  execution  at 
short  ranges.  The  following  advantages  are  claimed  for  the  encased  multi- 
ball  cartridge  as  manufactured  by  Merwin,  Hulbert  &  Co.:     i.     No  leading 


of  barrel  by  any  number  of  discharges.  2.  At  each  discharge  the  casing 
acts 'as  the  cleaner  and  lubricates  the  barrel.  3.  The  lubricated  case  taking 
the  rifling  gives  an  easy  transit  of  balls  and  accuracy  of  flight.  4.  The  lubri- 
cant is  preserved  under  the  different  ordinary  degrees  of  temperature.     5.     By 


^^^^m^^^^ 


the  centrifugal  force  given  to  the  casing  and  balls  by  the  rifling,  the  casing 
is  thrown  ofif  after  leaving  the  barrel,  the  balls  diverge  or  separate  nearly 
equal  to  the  front  of  three  men  at  about  one  hundred  yards  distance.  6.  The 
multi  (or  three-ball)  cartridge  in  its  effective  (or  destructive)  results  at  each 


discharge  at  short  range  is  nearly  equal  to  three  separate  discharges  by  a 
breech-loader  throwing  one  ball.  7.  The  cartridge  is  firmly  constructed  and 
will  withstand  rough  usage  of  actual  service  and  preserve  its  uniformity  of 
shape.  8.  Continuous  (and  rapid)  firing  without  requiring  the  barrel  to  be 
cleaned.     9.     Preservation   of  powder.      The   casing  as   an   insulator   prevents 


40 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 


galvanic  action  between  the  metallic  shell  and  balls,  which  chemical  action  in 
time  would  deteriorate  the  powder.  lo.  The  casings  are  made,  the  balls 
placed  and  secured  firmly  therein,  separate  from  the  metallic  shells  and  can 
be  transported  in  bulk  or  otherwise  without  injury  and  attached  to  the  loaded 
metallic  powder  case  when  desirable  (or  at  reloading  of  shells). 

BULLETS' 

Since  the  advent  of  powder  and  ball,  there  have  been  thousands  of  varieties 
of  all  sizes  and  imaginable  shapes,  round  and  long,  with  points  of  every  con- 
ceivable curve  that  can  be  geometrically  figured,  some  with  a  flat  base,  others 
with  depressions  of  all  depths  and  shapes,  some  to  be  patched  with  paper,  or 
covered  with  steel,  copper  or  nickel,  others  with  grooves,  the  width,  depth 
and  number  of  them  varying  according  to  the  theories  of  the  many  so-called 
scientific  men  Scientific  theory  and  practice  do  not  always  agree.  Science 
will  figure  out  the  size,  shape  and  weight  of  a  bullet,  and  not  the  proper  por- 
tion of  a  certain  grade  of  powder.  It  will  place  this  powder  and  ball  in  a  rifle 
barrel  of  a  figured  length,  bore  and  twist  of  rifling.  The  crank  and  the  practi- 
cal man  go  to  work  experimenting,  they  try  this  and  that,  varying  the  size  of 
the  bore  and  twist  of  barrel,  powder,  quantity  and  grade,  the  temper  of  bullets 


from  pure  lead  to  different  proportions  of  tin,  etc.,  and  the  result  of  all  this  is, 
we  have  a  great  variety  of  bullets  of  the  various  so-called  calibers,  while  in 
point  of  fact  there  are  very  few,  if  any,  of  them  what  they  are  called.  All  this 
is  very  confusing  to  the  uninitiated.  The  manufacturers  of  the  various  arms 
have  by  a  long  series  of  experimenting  decided  upon  a  standard  size  of  bullet 
to  be  used  in  their  different  calibers,  and  the  manufacturers  of  ammunition  all 
make  the  bullets  to  that  standard  and  they  will  not  vary  .001  of  an  inch  as  they 
come  from  the  factory.  There  are,  however,  some  who  differ  in  their  opinions 
as  to  what  diameter  of  a  bullet  should  be  for  their  rifles;  they  will  push  a 
bullet  through  the  barrel,  and  if  the  impressions  of  the  rifling  on  it  are  not 
deep  enough  to  suit  their  ideas,  they  decide  that  a  bullet  of  the  standard  size 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS  41 

is  not  large  enough  and  may  condemn  the  mould.  Others  there  are  who 
desire  to  have  -their  bullets  smaller  than  the  standard  size  and  point  to  their 
fine  records  to  prove  that  they  are  correct,  which  is  simply  a  verification  of 
"Many  men  of  many  minds."  Of  course,  a  bullet  should  fit  so  as  positively 
to  prevent  the  escape  of  the  gas  by  the  side  of  the  bullet;  all  of  the  pressure 
generated  by  the  ignition  of  the  powder  should  be  kept  at  the  base  of  the 
bullet  to  expel  it.  If  gas  escapes  through  the  barrel  past  the  bullet,  so  much 
force  is  lost,  and  if  the  escapement  is  greater  on  one  side  than  on  the  other,  it 
will  deflect  the  bullet  and  make  the  flight  irregular,  and  accuracy  under  such 
conditions  is  out  of  the  question.  Some  of  the  best  authorities  think  a  bullet 
when  seated  in  the  barrel  by  hand  should  fit  to  the  bottom  of  the  rifling  so  as 
to  shut  ofif  positively  all  gas  before  the  powder  is  ignited;  others  think  that  a 
space  should  be  left  between  the  length  of  the  bullet  and  the-  bottom  of  the 


a  MUSMRO0M_BU,LLET_J 


^^^mmmo  swARF^ffii™ 


%  wmiARQii^^ 


rifling,  the  space  to  be  closed  up  by  the  upsettage  of  the  bullet  at  the  time  of 
the  explosion.  As  to  how  a  bullet  of  the  standard  size  will  fit  a  barrel  de- 
pends wholly  upon  the  bore  and  the  depth  of  the  rifling.  Variations  in  both 
of  these  points  are  found,  as  well  as  in  everything  else;  there  are  no  two  rifle 
barrels  aUke  any  more  than  there  are  two  human  beings;  each  has  his  own 
individuality  and  must  be  humored  in  accordance  with  his  peculiarities.  The 
bore  of  a  rifle  is  the  size  of  the  smooth  hole  in  the  barrel  before  it  is  rifled, 
which  is  commonly  called  the  cahber;  this,  however,  is  not  the  size  of  the  bul- 
let. The  diameter  of  the  bullet  is  determined  by  the  depth  of  the  rifling  and 
should  be  large  enough  to  shut  ofif  the  gas.  The  depth  of  the  grooves  in  the 
ordinary  rifle  barrel  is  from  .001  to  .004  of  an  inch  according  to  the  ideas  of 
the  various  manufacturers,  or  those  of  the  shooters  who  may  order  them  in 
accordance  with  their  peculiar  notions.  It  must  be  remembered  that  it  is  the 
barrel,  not  the  shells,  that  the  bullet  should  fit  properly  to  get  good  results. 
One  great  advantage  for  the  Ideal  reloading  tool  over  all  others  is  that  it  has 
a  bullet  sizer  as  well  as  a  bullet  mould  combined  with  the  loading  chamber  in 


42  AMERICAN    SMALL  ARMS 

a  convenient  and  handy  form.  The  moulds  thus  can  be  made  so  as  to  cast 
the  bullets  a  trifle  above  the  standard  size,  allowing  the  use  of  any  mixture 
of  metal  that  the  shooter  desires;  and,  after  the  lubrication  is  in  the  grooves, 
they  can  be  forced  through  the  sizing  die,  this  will  press  the  lubrication  solidiv 
into  the  grooves,  wipe  of?  all  surplus  grease,  and  at  the  same  time  make  the 
bullet  perfectly  round. 

The  casting  of  bullets  requires  time  and  patience.  You  cannot  rake  an  old 
iron  spoon  and  hold  it  over  the  fire  and  as  soon  as  the  metal  liquifies,  or  can 
be  poured,  spill  it  into  a  cold  mould,  and  get  good  results;  for  instead  of  a 
full  bullet,  you  will  simply  get  a  shriveled  and  wrinkled  lump  of  lead.     The 


first  requirement  is  a  small  kettle.  The  Ideal  melting  pot  is  made  for  this 
purpose  and  will  hold  about  ten  pounds  of  metal;  such  a  body  will  hold  the 
heat  at  a  more  even  temperature,  which  is  desirable.  There  should  be  a 
regular  steady  fire  to  keep  it  at  the  proper  temper,  not  red-hot  one  minute  and 
so  cold  the  next  that  it  will  not  flow.  When  ready  to  run  the  bullets,  raise  the 
dipper  nearly  full  from  the  melting  pot,  hold  the  same  over  the  pot  and  con- 
nect the  mould  to  the  nozzle;  then  turn  the  dipper,  with  the  mould  connected, 
slowly  to  a  vertical  position,  as  in  the  drawing,  and  the  weight  of  metal  in  the 


dipper  above  the  mould  will  drive  out  the  air  and  fill  out  the  mould  perfectly, 
assuring  good,  full,  smooth  bullets  without  the  spilling  of  a  particle  of  metal 
The  surface  of  the  metal  .should  be  kept  clear  and  the  dipper  clean.  Keep  the 
dipper  in  the  hot  metal  when  nut  pouring,  for  it  must  be  kept  as  hot  as  the 
metal,   which    otherwise   will   be   chilled,   and    stop   up   the   nozzle.     The   metal 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS  43 

should  be  hot  enough  to  flow  freely,  but  never  red-hot,  as  a  red-heat  oxidizes 
the  lead  rapidly,  forming  much  dross,  which  hardens  and  deteriorates  the 
metal.  Sometimes  a  bullet,  when  cast,  will  show  the  grooves  clean  and  sharply 
forme  1  on  one  side,  while  on  the  other  side  they  will  not;  or  if  it  be  an    Ex- 


^^mMM^B^M 


SOV'f.,  SOLID  HEAD 


press  or  hollow  pointed  bullet,  the  end  of  it  may  show  a  full  sharp  impression 
on  one  side  of  the  core-peg  and  not  on  the  other,  causing  the  hole  to  appear 
eccentric.  This  does  not  imply  that  one-half  of  the  mould  is  imperfectly  cut, 
or  that  the  core-peg  is  not  held  in  the  center,  as  these  imperfect  appearances 
may  be  changed  from  one  side  of  the  bullet  to  the  other  by  simply  tipping  the 
mould  from  left  to  right,  and  pouring  it  right  or  left  handed.  The  side  of  the 
mould,  or  the  side  of  the  core-peg  that  is  presented  to  the  entering  flood  of 
metal,  will  receive  a  full  impression,  while  the  opposite  side  may  not.    The  face 


of  the  mould  ma^  oe  fitted  too  closely,  and  the  trouble  may  be  caused  by  air 

•     being  imprisoned  when  pouring  the  metal  too  quickly.     To  avoid  this,  turn 

the  mould  and  dipper  slowly,  coming  to  the  position  in  the  illustration  only 

when  the  mould  is  full,  and  hold  the  dipper  connected  to  the  mould  for  an 


44 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 


instant,  so  that  the  shrinking  bullet  in  the  mould  may  draw  the  metal  from 
the  dipper;  for,  if  separated  too  quickly,  there  may  be  a  shrink  hole  at  the  base. 
Those  using  the  Cylindrical  mould  may  find  an  indentation  caused  by  im- 
prisoned air  on  the  side  of  the  point  where  the  former  punch  connects;  pour- 
ing the  metal  slowly  as  stated  above,  will  overcome  this.  Do  not  be  afraid 
to  put  a  little  oil  on  the  joint  of  a  mould  and  on  the  face  of  it  also,  it  is  a  good 
plan  to  do  this  while  hot  before  putting  it  away  after  using.  A  little  oil  in 
the  mould  m%y  cause  a  few  bullets  to  be  imperfect  by  sputtering,  but  it  will 
soon  get  over  that  and  be  the  better  for  it.  Sometimes  the  metal  may  solder 
to  the  inside  of  the  pouring  hole  on  the  bullet  mould  cut-ofif,  or  on  the  nozzle 
of  the  dipper.  An  occasional  touch  of  the  nozzle  to  a  piece  of  tallow  or  bees- 
wax will  obviate  this.  Never  strike  the  mould  with  a  hammer  or  other  me- 
tallic substance  for  it  will  pean  or  stretch  the  side  that  is  hit,  and  make  the 


bullet  out  of  round.  Use  a  billet  of  wood  to  strike  the  cut-off,  or  to  eject  the 
bullet.  If  bullet  does  not  drop  readily  from  the  mould,  open  the  mould  wide, 
holding  it  with  the  bullet  downward,  and  lightly  tap  on  the  lower  bottom  in- 
side face  of  the  half  in  which  the  bullet  remains.  This  will  be  found  much 
better  than  striking  it  on  the  outside,  as  it  drives  the  mould  away  from  the 
bullet,  while  striking  it  on  the  outside  drives  it  against  the  bullet,  and  some- 
times will  make  it  stick  more  firmly.  Never  attempt  to  pry  bullets  out  of  a 
mould.  It  is  impossible  to  use  any  m.etal  across  the  inner  sharp  edge  of  a 
mould  without  injuring  it,  the  slightest  indentation  on  the  edge  of  a  mould 
will  cause  a  bullet  to  stick,  and  the  only  way  to  get  out  any  indentation  is  to 
have  it  rechcrried;  the  cherry  should  be  the  last  and  only  instrument  of  metal 
that  is  used  in  the  mould.  Round  bullets  are  more  apt  to  stick  in  the  mould 
than  others  on  account  of  being  lighter  in  weight  and  of  being  held  by  almost 
a  complete  half  circle  in  the  mould.     Hot  bullets  should  not  be  dropped  on  a 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 


45 


pine  board,  for  they  will  absorb  the  rosin,  neither  should  they  be  allowed  to 
drop  on  other  hard  substances,  for  it  will  dent  them. 

Bullets  to  be  patched  with  paper  are  smooth,  without  grooves.  They  are 
from  three  to  six  thousandths  of  an  inch  smaller  than  the  standard  size.  The 
diameter  is  increased  to  the  size  desired  by  having  a  thin  paper  patch  rolled 
around  them,  covering  about  two-thirds  of  the  bullet  from  the  base  up. 
This  paper  is  of  fine,  strong  texture,  similar  to  bank-note  paper. 
It     is     specially     prepared     for     this     purpose,     and     is     made     in     different 


thicknesses,  which  are  known  to  the  manufacturers  of  ammunition 
as  extra-thin,  thin,  medium,  and  thick.  The  extra-thin  is  about 
one  and  one-half  thousandths  in  thickness  and  there  is  an  increase  of  about 
one-half  thousandth  in  each  succeeding  size;  thus  shooters  wishing  to  in- 
crease or  decrease  the  diameter  of  their  bullets  can  do  so  by  selecting  the 
proper  thickness  of  paper.  There  is  a  difference  of  opinion  relative  to  the 
advantage  or  superiority  of  patched  bullets  over  grooved,  yet  for  hunting  or 
military  purposes  the  grooved  ball  is  generally  preferred,  as  such  ammunition 
can  be  carried  and  exposed  to  wet  weather  without  injury,  while  a  part  of 
the  patch  being  exposed  is  liable  to  get  wet  and  injured  so  as  to  impair  its  ac- 


curacy.     Still,    for   fine   target-shooting,   the   patched    bullet   properly    handled 
is,  without  doubt;  preferable. 

How  to  RoU  on  Patch.  Lay  the  patch  on  a  smooth  board  or  table  with 
the  point  of  angles  toward  and  from  you;  have  point  of  angle  toward  you 
to  the  right;  let  the  whole  of  the  angle  project  over  the  edge  of  the  board  or 
table  (this  will  leave  the  point  of  patch  free,  not  stuck  down  to  the  table); 
then  place  the  bullet  squarely  upon  the  patch  (base  to  the  left),  letting  as 
much  of  the  paper  project  beyond  the  base  as  you  desire.  (See  drawing.)  The 


46  AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 

angle  projecting  toward  you  can  then  be  lapped  up  over  the  bullet,  as  shown. 
When  in  that  position,  place  the  forefinger  upon  the  point  of  patch  and  bullet, 
and  with  a  forward  push  roll  the  bullet  up  on  the  patch.  You  will  soon  per- 
ceive whether  you  are  rolling  it  on  true;  if  not,  roll  back,  readjust  the  bullet, 
and  try  again.  A  little  practice  will  soon  enable  you  to  acquire  the  art  so  that 
you  will  do  it  correctly  every  time.  This  is  the  method  of  patching  bullets 
at   the  ammunition    factories.      This   work   is   done   Ijv   girls,   who   l)ecome   ex- 


pert,  some  of  them  patching  over  twelve  thousand  per  day.  The  regular  fac- 
tory patched  bullets  have  a  cavity  at  the  base.  When  patch  is  rolled  on,  the 
paper  should  project  about  two-thirds  of  the  diameter  of  the  ball  and  the 
projecting  paper  is  twisted  over  the  base  and  pressed  into  the  cavity.  With 
the  flat  base  bullet  (without  cavity)  allow  the  patch  to  project  only  one-third 
of  the  diameter  of  the  ball  and  turn  the  edge  of  paper  over  inward,  and  press 
the  base  of  ball,  when  so  patched,  flat  upon  a  table. 


barrel  be- 
comes leaded  inside,  -t  is  useless  as  far  as  accuracy  goes;  yet  many  shooters 
are  very  thoughtless  about  the  lubrication  of  the  bullets  when  preparing  their 
ammunition;  anytliing  is  good  enough,  and  this  is  the  cause  of  much  trouble. 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 


47 


A  barrel  to  do  good  work  must  be  kept  free  from  lead.  All  the  grooves  of  a 
bullet  should  be  packed  full  of  a  good  fresh  lubricant  before  being  seated  in 
the  shells  or  in  the  breech  of  the  barrel.  Scantily  lubricated  or  dry  bullets 
will  certainly  lead  the  barrel.     There  are  many  recipes  for  lubrication;  almost 


MODEL-  lees 


1       every  shooter  has  one  of  his  own.     The  following  mixtures  will,  however,  be 
\       found  good:     Beeswax  and  common  cylinder  oil,  three  parts  wax  to  two  of 
oil.     Also   beef  tallow  with   enough   vaseline  to   soften   it   as   desired,   or   pure 
vaseline     with     enough     parafifine    to     harden     it     as     required.      Japan     wax 


with  spernf  oil  enough  to  soften  it  is  also  excellent.  Never  use  fats  or  oils 
that  have  been  salted  or  that  have  acids  mixed  with  them,  for  they  will  rust 
or  pit  the  barrel.  In  cold  weather,  the  mixture  should  be  softer  than  in  warm, 
but  never  so  hard  as  to  crack  and  drop  off  while  loading.     Cartridges  when 


48 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 


loaded  should  be  kept  in  a  cool,  dry  place,  never  in  the  sun  or  in  a  hot  place, 
for,  if  the  lubricant  melts  it  may  get  to  the  powder,  and  if  so  it  will  certainly 
destroy  it.  X'erdigris  or  green  corrosion  near  the  mouth  of  shell  indicates 
that  ammunition  is  not  fresh.  Bullets  that  have  been  lubricated  a  long  time 
are  not  as  good  as  those  freshly  done,  for  the  mixture  may  become  hardened 
and  lose  some  of  its  lubricating  qualities.  If  in  this  condition,  it  will  be  best 
to  remove  the  old  lubrication  by  placing  the  bullets  in  hot  water,  which  wull 
soon  melt  it  off,  and  then  you  can  do  tliem  over  freshly.  Ammunition  that 
has  been  made  a  long  time,  shipped  about  the  country  and  stored  in  hot 
places,  is  frequently  found  to  be  worthless,  simply  on  account  of  the  lubrica- 
tion melting  and  getting  to  the  powder.  Newly  made  ammunition  is  best, 
whether  ])urchased  or  made  by  yourself.  If  the  latter,  you  certainly  know 
what  powder  is  in  it  and  how  old  it  is.     To  lubricate  your  bullets,  dip  them 


WlhfCH  ^ 
___^  INGLE 


f  SINGLE      SHOT 


into  the  nicked  luljricant,  covering  all  of  the  grooves,  and  set  them  on  a 
board  to  cool.  When  cool,  remove  the  surphis  grease  by  forcing  the  bullets 
up  through  a  tube  a  trifle  above  the  size  of  the  bullets.  Originally,  all  metallic 
anmiunition  was  lubricated  on  the  outside.  All  bullets  were  seated  in  the 
shell  on  tlie  powder,  or  up  to  a  shoulder,  without  lul)rication,  and  that  part  of 
the  bullet  that  projected  beyond  th-e  muzzle  of  the  shell  was  dipped  into  hot 
lubrication,  and,  when  cold,  packed  into  boxes  ready  for  use.  Such  was  the 
only  annnunition  made  for  years.  It,  of  course,  is  very  mucli  more  uncleanly 
than  the-  later  jjroduction,  which  have  bullets  with  grooves  filled  with  lubrica- 
tion, and  the  bullets  seated  in  the  shell  dee])  enough  to  cover  the  grooves  and 
lubrication,  preventing  the  adherence  of  dirt  and  grit. 

In   the  days  of  old,  before  arms  were   rifled,   missiles   were   round   and   shot 
fnjm  a  barrel  that  was  smooth  bore  like  a  shotgun;  the  gauge  or  caliber  was 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 


49 


numbered  according-  to  the  quantity  of  a  perfect  sphere  of  lead  there  was  con- 
tained in  a  pound.  Thus,  50  gauge  rifle  was  bored  for  a  ball  that  took  fifty 
of  them  to  weigh  a  pound,  20  ga.  twenty  to  the  pound,   16,   14,   12,   10,  etc. 


gauge 


The   adjoining   table   reduces   the   standard   shotgun   or   smooth   bore 
decimally  to  thousandths  of  an  inch,  also  to  milHmeters. 


Diameter  in 
milHmeters. 
21.8 
20.0 
18.6 
17.8 
16.8 
15.6 
14.4 
13.6 
13.2 
12.4 
11.4 
In   comparison   to  caliber  of  rifled  arms,  it  will    be    observed    there    is    a 
marked   difference;   in   this   table,   as  the    size    of    the    gauge    increases,    the 
numerals  designating  the  diameter  of  it  decreases.     Thus,  the  size  of  the  hole 
!     in  the  barrel  of  a  25  gauge  smooth  bore  is  .571,  while  for  50  gauge  smooth 
i     bore,  it  is  only  .453.     For  a  rifle  barrel  of  exactly  .25  calibre,  the  bore  should 
i     be  .250;  for  a  .50  caliber  it  would  be  1-2  inch  or  .500.    The  caliber  or  gauge  of 
i     the   modern   rifled   arm,   if  correct,   is   designated   decimally     by     hundredths. 
'     Thus,   .32   caliber   should   be   32-100,   .40   caliber.   40-100,   etc.,  though   few   of 
them  are  really  what  they  are  called. 

The  approximate  weight  of  these  are  as  follows:      10  ga.  630  grs.,   12  ga. 
540  grs.,  14  ga.  465  grs.,  16  ga.  390  grs.,  20  ga.  300  grs. 


Diameter  in 

decimals 

Gauge 

of  -the  inch. 

or   bore 

,836 

8 

•775 

10 

.729 

12 

•693 

14 

.662 

16 

.615 

20 

•571 

25 

•537 

30 

.526 

32 

.488 

40 

•453 

50 

While  we  do  not  recommend  round  ball  for  choked  bore  shotguns,  they  are 
used  by  some  shooters  successfully;  for  10  ga.  choked  bore  use  12  ga.  ball. 
tor  12  ga.  choked  bore  use  the  14  ga.  ball,  and  so  on. 


60  AMERICAN   SMALL   ARMS 

THE  IDEAL  SYSTEM  OF   NUMBERING  BULLETS. 

This  system  is  much  appreciated  by  sportsmen  when  once  familiarized.  There 
is  very  much  of  a  mix  up  in  the  so-called  calibers,  causing  many  mistakes,  some 
bullets  being  called  .32  caliber  that  are  smaller  than  the  .30  calibers,  while  some 
.38  calibers  are  as  large  as  .40  calibers.  This,  of  course,  is  confusing  and  mislead- 
ing to  those  who  are  not  familiar  with  the  subject,  and  the  source  of  much  trouble 
and  many  mistakes  which  may  be  avoided,  if  dealers  or  individuals  will  order  by 
the  numbers  designated.  The  aim  is  to  individualize  the  bullets  with  a  certain 
number  for  each  particular  one  and  at  the  same  time  have  the  n amber  of  the  bullet 
designate  its  standard  diameter,  also  to  inform  people  what  anns  use  bullets  of 
that  particular  standard  size;  for  instance,  when  a  person  knows  that  the  standard 
size  of  the  bullet  for  his  rifle  is  say  .308,  he  will  know  that  any  of  the  variety  of 
bullets  numbered,  whose  first  three  figures  is  308,  will  fit  his  arm,  and  with  the 
assistance  of  the  numbers  and  illustration,  he  can  select  the  diameter,  shape  and 
weight  of  bullet,  with  which  he  may  desire  to  experiment.  Thus,  all  through 
the  numbering,  the  first  three  figures  of  the  number  is  the  standard  diameter  (In 
thousandths)  of  the  bullet  it  designates. 

It  must  be  remembered  that  the  caliber  of  a  rifle  is  the  size  of  the  smooth  bore 
before  it  is  rifled,  and  not  the  size  of  the  bullet,  as  many  suppose.  If  a  rifle  barrel 
is  bored  .30  caliber  (.300)  and  rifled  .004  of  an  inch  deep,  it  will  i-equire  a  bullet 
.3o5^  in  diameter  to  fit  to  the  bottom  of  the  rifling.  The  .45  Government  rifles 
are  bored  for  .45  calibre  (.450),  but  require  a  bullet  .457  in  diameter,  on  account 
of  the  depth  of  the  rifling.  The  depth  of  rifling  is  varied  by  diflferent  manufac- 
turers. Different  depths  of  rifling  will  aflfect  the  fit  of  bullets,  while  the  bore  or 
caliber  may  be  the  same.  There  are,  in  fact,  but  very  few  rifled  arms  that  are 
actually  what  they  arc  called  by  calibers.     Carefully  note  the  following: 

.226  is  the  proper  diameter  of  bullets  for  the  .22-15-60  Stevens  straight.  These 
bullets  may  be  used  in  any  of  the  cartridges  or  arms  using  bullets  of  the  .228 
diameter  as  specified  below,  for  these  bullets  are  cast  full  and  are  to  be  sized. 

22636.  A  fine  variety  of  bullets,  weights  varying  from  40  to  98  grains,  witli 
deep  grooves,  which  are  not  so  apt  to  lead  the  barrel.  The  shape  of  the  point  is 
standard.  All  of  the  bullets  may  be  seated  with  regular  tools  tliat  are  correct  for 
any  .22  central  fire  cartridges. 

22637.  A  fine  series  of  sharp  pointed  bullets,  weights  from  ;^2  to  91  grains. 
They  are  clean  and  accurate  shooters-  and  do  not  tear  game. 

22638.  Express  bullets.  It  is  astonishing  how  much  more  deadly  a  bullet  is 
with  a  hollow  point.  We  have  fine  reports  of  the  work  done  with  these  bullets, 
one  statement  that  a  .22-15-60  Stevens  straight  rifle,  with  an  express  bullet  of 
about  60  grains,  is  as  good  a  killer  as  a  .32-20. 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS  51 

.228  is  the  standard  diameter  of  bullets  for  rifles  using  the  following  cartridges : 
.22-10-45;  .22  Extra  Long  C.  F. ;  .22-13-45  W. ;  .22-20  Hornet,  etc. 

2281 5 1.  This  is  the  standard  factory  bullet.  The  grooves  are  shallow  and 
rounding,  and  it  does  not  hold  much  lubrication. 

22834.  These  bullets  have  the  same  shaped  point  as  the  factory  .22-45  bullets. 
They  have  deep  square  cut  grooves  which  will  hold  more  lubrication  than  those  of 
the  factory  bullets,  thus  preventing  the  leading  of  the  barrel,  which  is  so  annoying 
and  detrimental  to  accuracy  in  small  bore  rifles.  They  may  be  seated  with  the 
regular  reloading  tools  for  any  of  the  above  cartridges. 

22835.  This  series  of  bullets  has  proved  to  be  very  popular.  The  sharp  point 
is  preferred  by  many,  as  it  does  not  tear  small  game.  These  bullets  also  have 
deep,  square  cut  grooves. 

.236  was  at  one  time  supposed  to  be  the  proper  diameter  of  bullets  for  the  new 
U.  S.  Navy  Rifles,  but  now  the  rifle  and  cartridge  is  called  the  6  m/m.  U.  S.  Navy, 
and  the  proper  diameter  of  the  bullets  for  that  rifle  now  is  .244. 

.23639,  .23640,  and  .236199  are  bullets  made  in  the  early  experimental  days,  for 
the  then  called  .236  U.  S.  Navy. 

.257  is  the  proper  diameter  for  bullets  of  all  the  .25  caliber  central  fire  arms  now 
made.  For  the  various  .25  caliber  rifles,  however,  there  is  a  variety  of  ammuni- 
tion of  different  lengths  and  shapes,  which  is  causing  much  confusion  among 
dealers  and  customers.  Note  particularly  that  there  are  two  different  .25-20 
cartridges.  Both  of  them  are  bottle  neck,  but  of  different  shape,  and  the  car- 
tridges are  of  different  lengths  over  all,  so  that  reloading  tools  correct  for  one 
will  not  load  the  other. 

25716.  This  is  the  .25-36  Marlin  series.  The  points  are  of  the  Standard  Shape. 
The  regular  reloading  tools  for  25-36  M.  seats  them  and  the  metal  jacketed  bullets. 

25717.  This  is  the  .25-35  Winchester  series.  Loading  tool  that  is  correct  for 
the  regular  .25-35  Winchester  metal  patched  bullets  will  seat  any  of  these,  one 
groove  will  project  beyond  the  muzzle  of  shell  so  that  bullets  will  have  a  longer 
bearing  to  hold  on  to  the  quick  twist  rifling.  For  short  range  bullets,  note  the 
78  grains  weight  and  bullet  No.  25721,  both  seat  with  the  regular  tool. 

25718.  This  is  the  .25  caliber  Long  Sharp  Pointed;  it  is  only  intended  for 
long  heavy  weights.     The  sharp  point  prevents  the  tearing  of  game. 

25719.  These  are  the  .25  caliber  short,  sharp  pointed  bullets  of  which  there 
has  been  so  much  written.     For  short  range  and  small  game  there  are  none  better. 

25720.  This  is  the  regular  old  standard  .25-20  Stevens  series.  Any  of  these 
weights  are  correct  for  the  .25-20  Stevens  and  Winchester  single  shot,  .25-20 
Marlin  and  Winchester  repeating  rifles,  .25-25  and  .25-21  Stevens  Straight. 

25721.  This  is  the  .25-35  Winchester  87  grain,  short  range  bullet.     It  may 


52  AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 

be  seated  in  any  regular  reloading  tool  that  is  correct  for  the  standard  cartridge 
with  metal  jacketed  bullet. 

25727.  Express  bullets.     These  are  made  of  various  weights. 

25728.  Round  bullet.  Used  by  some  for  light  indoor  work  or  very  short 
range.  They  shoot  nicely  with  a  very  small  charge;  if  too  much  powder  is  used, 
they  will  be  apt  to  jump  the  rifling. 

25729.  This  is  the  .25-36  Marlin  short  range.  It  will  seat  all  right  in  the 
regular  tool  made  for  the  standard  .25-36  Marlin  metal  jacketed  bullet.  It  has 
good  length  of  bearing. 

25730.  This  is  made  as  the  Standard  .25-36  Marlin  for  full  charge  of  black  or 
low  pressure  powders.  Seats  correctly  in  same  chamber  that  seats  the  metal 
patched  bullet. 

25731.  A  style  of  smooth  bullet  for  patching  with  paper.  Same  is  cast  in 
the  Cylindrical  mould.  Moulds  for  casting  bullets  of  the  proper  size  for  patching 
up  to  the  .25  caliber  are  made  with  the  Leopold,  round  or  flat  point.  These  bul- 
lets are  being  used  with  the  quick  twist  rifles  and  high  pressure  powders. 

.299  is  the  diameter  of  the  bullet,  or  the  base  part  of  it  that  fits  the  shells, 
known  as  .32  Short,  .32  Long,  .32  Extra  Long,  outside  lubrication.  There  are 
two  distinct  diameters.  The  base  part  is  to  fit  the  shell,  and  the  larger  or  forward 
part,  the  barrel,  so  a  round  or  straight  bearing  bullet  that  is  correct  in  size  for  the 
shell  is  too  small  for  the  barrel.  The  larger  diameter  that  fits  the  barrel  is  .313 
(same  as  .32  S.  &  W.). 

299152.  This  is  the  regular  bullet  for  the  .32  Short,  Rim  or  Central  Fire  shells. 

299153.  This  is  the  standard  bullet  for  .32  Long  U.  M.  C,  or  .32  Long  Colt. 
Winchester  Central  Fire  shells. 

299154.  This  is  the  regular  bullet  for  .32  Extra  Long,  for  Rim  or  Central  Fire 

shells. 

299155.  This  is  the  .32  Long  Rifle,  adapted  to  the  IMarlin  Rifle,  model  1892, 
and  various  pistols.  The  bullet  is  known  as  .32  Long,  inside  lubrication.  It  fits 
the  same  shells  and  is  adapted  to  the  same  arms  as  the  .32  Short,  Long,  and  Extra 
Long.     The  hollow  base  expands  at  discharge  to  fit  the  barrel. 

.308  is  the  recognized  diameter  of  bullets  for  the  .30-40  U.  S.  Govt.,  .30-30  Win- 
chester, .30-30  Marlin,  .30  Savage,  .30  Blake,  .32-40  Remington,  etc.  The  origi- 
nal size  of  the  .30-40  Govt.,  and  .30  Savage  was  the  same  as  the  English  rifles, 
which  are  bored  to  .303  gauge  and  use  a  bullet  .311  in  diameter;  the  U.  S.  Govt, 
changed  the  bore  t©  .300  (.30  caliber)  and  use  a  bullet  .308,  which  has  become 
the  standard  for  the  American  .30  calibers,  though  we  believe  the  Winchester 
people  are  now  making  bullets  .305  in  diameter  for  their  .30-30  Winchester.  We 
would  remark  that  the  .308  bullets  will  do  good  work  in  any  of  the  .303  caliber 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS  53 

English  rifles.  We  vvould  further  remark  that  any  of  the  standard  bullets  .311, 
factory  made,  or  specials,  may  be  sized  down  to  .308  in  diameter  and  make  good 
bullets  for  the  .30  caliber.     See  bullet  3084. 

3081.  When  cast  is  .311  in  diameter,  which  is  correct  for  the  .303  (English), 
It  may  be  sized  to  .308.  The  200  or  225  grains  weight,  somie  think,  are  fine  bullets 
for  the  .30  U.  S.Govt. 

3082.  When  cast  is  intended  to  crimp  into  the  top  groove,  same  as  in  the 
standard  metal  jacketed  bullet,  the  forward  part  of  shoulder  resting  on  the  end  of 
the  shell  to  prevent  ball  receding.  Chamber  that  is  correct  for  the  metal  patched 
bullet  .30-30  Winchester  will  also  seat  these  bullets. 

3083.  When  cast  is  .311,  to  be  sized  to  .308.  It  is  similar  to  No.  3082,  except 
in  weights  and  having  flat  point.  These  bullets  will  seat  correctly  in  chambers 
that  are  for  the  .30-30  Marlin  metal  patched  bullet,  but  will  not  seat  in  tool  for  the 
.30-30  Winchester. 

3084.  When  cast  is  slightly  above  .308 ;  when  loaded  in  the  regular  .30-30  W. 
chamber,  shell  crimps  over  all  the  bands.  Single  mould  will  form  a  bullet  with 
point  rounded  like  3082.  The  152  grs.  we  call  the  standard  .30  W. ;  200  grs.  is 
the  regular  .30  Go\1;.  When  it  is  seated  in  shell  two  grooves  project.  3084  bullets 
seat  properly  in  the  .30  Savage  tools. 

3085.  When  cast  is  slightly  above  .308.  These  bullets  have  flat  points  in  all 
cases,  whether  made  in  single  or  Perfection  mould.  They  are  intended  particu- 
larly for  the  .30  Marlin,  and  conform  to  the  shape  of  the  metal  patched  bullet  on 
the  point,  and  the  chamber  that  is  correct  for  one  is  correct  for  all.  The  147  grs. 
bullet  is  the  standard. 

3086.  When  cast  is  .311.  This  bullet  was  designed  by  Mr.  Beardsley,  of  the 
Bridgeport  Gun  Implement  Co.  Fine  reports  have  been  received  from  this  full 
length  bullet,  w^hen  sized  to  .308,  using  full  charge  of  black  or  lower  pressure 
smokeless  powder  in  the  various  .30  caliber  rifles.  The  lighter  weights  are  re- 
ported fine  for  short  range  for  all  the  rifles  using  bullets  .311  or  .308  in  diameter. 

3089.  This  is  the  .30-30  Winchester  short  range  bullet.  It  may  be  seated  cor- 
rectly with  a/iy  loading  tool  that  is  correct  for  the  regular  .30-30  Winchester 
cartridge.     It  has  hut  one  groove  for  lubrication  and  has  a  deep,  hollow  base. 

30822.  This  bullet  is  exactly  the  same  as  3089,  with  the  exception  that  the 
point  is  round  and  the  base  is  flat.  It  also  may  be  seated  with  any  regular  reload- 
ing tool  that  is  correct  for  the  standard  .30-30  Winchester. 

30823.  This  is  the  .30-30  Marlin  short  range.  It  has  flat  point  and  flat  base, 
and  is  seated  correctly  with  any  reloading  tool  that  is  correct  for  the  standard 
•30-30  Marlin  cartridge. 


54  AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 

30810.  This  bullet  is  cast  .311,  and  is  designed  for  the  .30  Savage  short  range 
(miniature  bullet).  It  may  be  seated  in  the  .30  Savage  shell  with  the  regular 
reloading  tools,  but  will  rec[uire  special  chamber  to  be  properly  seated  in  any  of 
the  other  .30  calibers. 

30812.  When  cast  is  .311  (correct  size  for  .32-20,  etc.).  Here  is  a  fine  series 
of  short  range  bullets  that  are  well  balanced,  presenting  a  good  length  of  bearing 
and  number  of  grooves  for  sufficient  lubrication.  All  of  the  short,  sharp  pointed 
bullets  of  different  calibers  have  justly  earned  their  reputation  for  accuracy  and  far 
small  game  killing.  They  dt>  not  mangle  or  tear.  It  has  been  proved,  also,  that 
bullets  of  this  shape,  when  longer  or  heavier  than  bullets  of  other  shapes,  will  fly 
more  accurately  and  keep  point  on  for  a  greater  distance.  We  would  remark 
also  that  bullets  having  a  good  length  of  bearing,  with  lubrication  properly  dis- 
tributed, will  hold  the  rifling  better  and  are  not  so  apt  to  jump  the  twist  and  lead 
the  barrel,  since  they  have  a  greater  length  of  grip. 

30815.  These  bullets  are  for  the  .32-40  Remington.  We  would  remark  that 
all  of  the  .32-40  Remington  bullets,  whether  grooved  or  patched,  are  proper  size 
for  the  .30  caliber. 

308156.  This  is  the  regular  .32-40  Remington  bullet.  See  under  Remington 
Arms. 

30824.  This  bullet  is  the  same  as  30823  with  the  exception  that  it  has  a  deep, 
hollow  base.     It  may  be  seated  with  the  regular  .30  Marlin  reloading  tool. 

30826.  Round  ball  for  indoor  work  or  very  short  range.  Light  charges  of 
powder  should  be  used,  too  much  powder  causing  them  to  jump  the  rifling. 

30841.  This  is  a  bullet  from  the  Cylindrical  mould,  which  is  made  for  smooth 
bullets  for  paper  patching.     Moulds  cast  point,  round,  flat  or  Leopold. 

31032.  This  is  a  bullet  for  the  .32  Swiss  Ordnance.  It  is  not  used  larger,  but 
is  reported  very  excellent  for  large  game. 

.311  is  the  proper  diameter  of  bullets  for  the  following  arms:  .303  English 
rifles ;  .32-20  Winchester,  Marlin  and  Colt's  rifles  and  pistols ;  .32-35  Stevens  and 
Maynard ;  .32-40  Bullard,  etc.  All  bullets  of  the  .311  diameter  may  be  sized  to 
.308  for  the  .30  caliber. 

31  III.  This  is  the  regular  standard  U.  ]\I.  C.  bullet  for  .32-20  Marlin  and 
Colt's.  It  has  but  one  groove,  with  point  same  shape  as  31 18.  Any  reloading  tool 
for  .32-20  will  seat  it.  May  be  sized  to  .308.  (For  sharp-pointed  bullets  see  No. 
30812.) 

31 1 13.  This  is  a  round  ball  for  light  charge,  short  range,  or  small  game.  Too 
much  powder  will  cause  bullet  to  jump  the  rifling.  With  proper  amount  of 
powder  they  do  good  work. 

31 1 14.  Here  is  a  fine  variety  of  bullets  with  wide,  square  grooves  for  lubrica- 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS  65 

tion.  Excellent  reports  come  from  parties  using-  them  in  both  .30  and  .32  caHber 
rifles. 

31 1 157,  This  is  the  same  shape  as  the  .32-40  Marlin  165,  and  is  used  with 
general  satisfaction  for  large  game. 

3 1 125. _  This  is  a  bullet  made  especially  for  the  .303  English  rifles,  and  is  the 
same  shape  and  length  as  the  metal  jacketed  bullet  in  the  .303  Eley  cartridge. 
Weight,  240  grains. 

31 133.  Express  bullet.  They  increase  the  killing  powers  of  the  .32-20  rifles 
greatly,  and  are  correct  shape  for  any  of  the  regular  .32-20  reloading  tools. 

3 1 142.  This  is  a  bullet  from  Cylindrical  mould.  Cast  smooth  for  patching. 
Mould  can  be  made  for  casting  round,  flat,  or  Leopold  point.  Same  will  cast  bul- 
lets of  various  weights. 

3117.  This  bullet  is  the  old  standard  .32-35-153  for  Stevens  and  Maynard  rifles, 
and  is  a  favorite. 

31 18.  This  is  the  regular  standard  bullet,  .32-20-115  Winchester.  It  has  two 
grooves,  and  is  same  shape  at  point  as  the  No.  311 11.  Any  reloading  tool  that  is 
correct  for  .32-20  cartridges  will  seat  it.     May  be  sized  to  .308. 

.313  is  the  proper  diameter  for  bullets  for  the  following:  .32-30  Remington; 
.32  S.  &  W.  Short;  .32  S.  &  W.  Long;  .32  Harrington  &  Richardson;  .32  Merwin 
&  Hulbert ;  .32  Colt's  New  Police,  etc. 

31355-  This  is  the  regular  .32  S.  &  W.  Short.  (See  Smith  &  Wesson  Re- 
volvers.) 

31356.  This  is  the  regular  .32-30  Remington.      (See  Remington  Arms.) 

31357.  This  is  the  .32  Colt's  New  Police,  and  .32  S.  &  W.  Long.  (See  Colt's 
Arms  and  Smith  &  Wesson  Revolvers.) 

31358.  Round  ball  for  light  charge  or  short  range  practice.  Too  much  powder 
will  cause  them  to  jump  the  rifling.     The  proper  charge  will  do  good  work. 

315158.  This  is  a  special  bullet  used  by  some  shooters;  in  the  .32-40,  .319 
rifles  it  requires  a  thin  paper  patch.  It  is  also  the  correct  diameter  for  the  Mann- 
licher  rifle,  8  m/m. 

.319  is  the  proper  diameter  of  bullets  for  all  arms  using  the  well-known  and 
peculiar  cartridge  .32-40  Marlin,  which  was  first  originated  by  the  Marlin  Fire 
Arms  Co.  and  adopted  by  the  Winchester,  Remington,  Colt's,  Stevens,  and  others. 
'There  are  also  other  cartridges  known  as  .32-40  Remington  (.308)  and  .32-40 
Bullard  (.311),  but  they  require  different  diameter  of  bullets.  The  cartridge 
losing  the  .319  bullet  should  always  be  designated  as  .32-40  M.  and  W.,  whatever 
j'ifle  is  made  to  use  them.     This  will  obviate  many  mistakes. 

319162.     This  is  a  bullet  that  has  won  a  place  in  the  hearts  of  the  users  of  the 
32-40  rifles,  using  shell  full  of  powder  and  seating  bullet  in  the  barrel. 
i, 


56  AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 

31944.  This  is  the  rcg-ular  standard  .32-40-165  bullet,  and  has  an  excellent 
reputation. 

31945.  Express  bullet.  This  is  the  same  shape  as  the  standard,  so  it  wiTl 
seat  properly  with  the  regular  reloading  tool.  It  increases  the  killing  power  of 
the  rifle  greatly  for  deer,  bear,  etc. 

31946.  This  bullet  has  one  very  wide  groove  for  lubrication  with  two  strong 
bands.  It  is  claimed  that  this  bullet  shoots  well,  does  not  strip  or  jump  the  rifling 
at  higher  velocities,  consequently  does  not  lead  the  barrel.  The  shape  is  standard 
and  correct  for  the  regular  reloading  tools. 

31947.  Here  is  a  fine  series  of  bullets.  They  are  standard  shape  at  the  point. 
Short  or  long  range.     All  seated  with  the  regular  tools. 

31948.  These  bullets  weigh  80,  120  and  155  grains.  Reports  of  them  are  ex- 
cellent, particularly  of  the  two  lighter  ones  for  short  range.  Double  adjustable 
chamber  required  to  seat  these  and  round  ball. 

31949.  Here  is  a  popular  series  of  bullets  from  very  light  weight  to  very  heavy, 
having  sharp  points.  They  are  reported  accurate  fliers.  Light  weights  are  extra 
fine  for  small  game;  they  do  not  tear  or  mangle.  These  bullets  require  special 
chambers  to  seat  them. 

31950.  This  is  the  factory  .32-40-98  M.  short  range.  Tool  for  regular  car- 
tridge will  not  seat  it.     No.  3  special  tool  only,  made  for  it. 

3 195 1.  Round  ball  for  extra  short  range,  very  light  charge  of  powder.  Too 
much  powder  will  cause  them  to  jump  the  rifling. 

31952.  This  series  of  bullets  is  known  as  the  .32 -40  short  point.  They  have 
become  very  popular.  For  different  purposes  all  of  the  weights  have  friends. 
No.  3  special  tool  only  made  to  load  them. 

31953.  This  bullet  was  made  for  Col.  Pickett,  the  well-known  grizzly  bear 
killer.  It  is  for  patching  with  paper.  The  mould  has  extra  long  bearing  for 
core-peg. 

31954.  This  bullet,  from  Cylindrical  adjustable  mould,  is  cast  smooth  for  paper 
patching.  Mould  will  cast  bullets  of  varying  lengths,  with  flat,  round,  or  Leopold 
point. 

.323  is  the  proper  diameter  of  bullets  for  all  arms  using  the  following  car- 
tridges:   .32  Ideal ;  .32-44  S.  &  W.,  .32  S.  &  W.  rifle,  etc. 

32359.  This  is  a  bullet  that  has  met  with  favor  by  those  who  have  rifles  using 
the  .32  Ideal  cartridge. 

32360.  This  series  of  bullets  is  intended  for  rifles  using  the  .32  Ideal  cartridges, 
for  light  and  heavy  weights.  Shape  of  point  is  standard  and  they  will  seat  all 
right  with  the  regular  tools  for  .32  Ideal  cartridges. 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS  57 

32361.  Tliis  is  the  regular  bullet  for  .32  S.  &  W.  rifle,  making  a  very  nice 
short  range  bullet  for  rifles  using  the  .32  Ideal  cartridge. 

22262.  This  is  the  regular  bullet  for  .32-44  S.  &  W.  target  revolver.  It  also 
makes  a  fine  short  range  bullet  that  will  fit  the  .32  Ideal  shells. 

32363.  Round  ball  for  .32-44  S.  &  W.  Gallery,  may  be  used  for  very  short 
range  in  rifles  using  .32  Ideal  cartridges. 

.358  is  the  proper  diameter  of  bullets  for  all  arms  using  the  .38  Smith  &  Wesson 
cartridges ;  it  is  also  the  correct  size  to  fit  the  shells  for  the  old  .38  Short,  .38 
Long,  and  .38  Extra  Long.  They  will  not,  however,  fit  the  barrels  that  are  bored 
for  the  outside  lubricated  bullets. 

358159.  This  is  the  standard  .38  Short  Outside  Lubricated  bullet.  The  heel 
or  base  of  bullets  of  this  style  fits  the  shell ;  the  largest  diameter  that  fits  the  barrel 
is  .375,  same  as  .38-55  M. 

358160.  This  i?  the  regular  factory  bullet  for  the  .38  Long  outside  lubrication. 
For  the  new  .38  Long  inside  lubrication  see  bullet  No.  35870. 

!  358161.  This  is  the  standard  .38  Extra  Long  bullet.  There  has  been  much 
trouble  about  this  cartridge.  The  old  Ballard  rifles  were  all  bored  and  rifled  for 
the  O.  L.  bullet,  which  is  .375,  but  all  of  the  factory  ammunition  has  a  straight, 
one-sized  ball  .358  in  diameter  that  fits  the  shell  only.  For  such  the  Ideal  Tool 
No.  I  is  made,  which  is  correct  for  the  Wesson  rifles,  but  not  for  the  Ballards,  as 
the  ball  will  drop  through  the  barrel.  For  the  Ballards  we  would  recommend 
bullet  No.  35870,  which  may  be  seated  in  the  regular  No.  i  tool. 

35864.  This  is  the  regular  .38  S.  &  W.  bullet.  (See  Smith  &  Wesson  Re- 
jvolver.) 

j  35865.  This  is  the  same  shape  as  the  regular  .38  Long  Colt's  inside  lubricated 
bullet.  (See  No.  35870.)  It  has  not  the  cavity  at  thfe  base,  and  we  do  not  recom- 
mend it  for  those  arms,  because  it  will  not  expand  and  take  the  rifling,  although 
it  fits  the  shell  correctly,  and  seats  with  same  tool. 

35866.  Round  ball  for  short  range  indoor  or  gallery  practice  for  the  .38  Smith 
&  Wesson.     Fits  all  the  shells  for  the  .38  Short,  .38  Long  and  .38  Extra  Long. 

35870.  This  is  the  regular  hollow  base  expansive  bullet,  or  .38  Long  Colt's 
inside  lubrication. 

360.  This  is  the  proper  size  of  bullets  for  the  .38-44  S.  &  W.  revolver.  Bullets 
of  this  size  may  also  be  used  in  arms  using  bullets  of  the  .358  standard. 

36071.  This  is  the  regular  .38-44  S.  &  W.  Target  bullet.  (See  Smith  & 
Wesson  Revolver.) 

36072.  This  is  a  special  light  weight  bullet.  We  have  good  reports  of  it  for 
(light  charges  in  the  .38-44  S.  &  W.  target  revolvers  and  others. 

36073.  This  is  the  same  bullet  as  36072,  with  the  exception  of  the  flat  point 


68  AMERICAN    SMALL    ARMS 

and  hollow  base,  which  is  preferred  by  many,  and  which  also  helps  the  bullet  to 
expand.  These  bullets  have  been  favorably  reported,  when  used  in  the  .38  Colt's 
Navy. 

36074.     Round  ball,  for  .38-44  S.  &  W.  GaWery  and  other  arms  using  this  size. 

36275.  This  bullet  is  correct  for  some  of  the  old  style  .38  Stevens  and  Maynard. 
There  are  quite  a  number  of  old  rifles  using  bullets  of  this  size. 

370163.  This  is  a  special  bullet  used  by  some  in  arms  for  the  .38-55  by  patch- 
ing to  .375  diameter. 

,373  is  the  proper  diameter  of  bullets  for  the  .38-45,  .38-50  Remington  and 
.38-45  Ballard  rifles,  though  the  .375  bullets  are  used  in  them  extensively. 

373164.  This  is  the  .38-45-190  Bullard.  Bullard  rifles  are  not  made  now,  but 
many  of  them  are  still  in  use. 

373165.  This  is  the  standard  bullet  for  the  .38-40  and  .38-50  Remington  rifles 
(See  Remington  Arms.) 

.375  is  the  correct  diameter  of  bullets  for  all  arms  using  the  very  popular  car- 
tridge .38-55  Marlin.  This  cartridge  was  first  originated  by  the  Marlin  Fire 
Arms  Co.  and  has  been  adopted  by  nearly  all  other  makers  of  rifles.  .375  is  also 
correct  for  the  following  cartridges :  .38-56,  38-70,  .38-72,  .38-90.  The  shape  of 
bullets  for  all  of  these  cartridges  is  the  same  as  the  .38-55-255  (except  the  .38-72, 
which  has  round  point),  and  will  interchange  and  seat  properly  with  the  regular 
tools. 

375166.  This  is  the  factory  .38-330  grooved  bullet.  It  is  used  with  a  shell  full 
of  powder  for  target  work. 

375167.  This  is  the  .38-72-275  Winchester.  The  point  being  round,  it  requires 
chamber  to  fit  it. 

37576.  This  is  the  standard  .38-55-255  bullet.  It  will  seat  correctly  in  tools 
for  above  cartridges.     One  band  off  is  the  regular  .38-90-217  Winchester. 

37577.  Express  bullets.  They  add  greatly  to  the  killing  powers.  The  .38-55 
rifle  with  express  bullets  are  sure  killers  of  deer  and  elk.  These  bullets  are  of  the 
standard  shape  and  will  seat  correctly  in  the  regular  tools. 

37578.  This  bullet  has  one  wide,  deep  groove  for  lubrication  and  two  strong 
bands.  It  is  claimed  to  be  an  accurate  flier,  also  that  it  \v\\\  not  strip  and  lead 
the  barrel  if  shot  at  a  higher  velocity.     It  has  a  round  point  similar  to  No.  37581. 

37579.  This  series  of  bullets  has  many  friends.  They  have  wide,  deep  groove- 
point  is  short,  making  nice,  light  weight  bullets. 

37580.  Excellent  reports  come  from  this  bullet  as  a  very  accurate  one.  Tt  was 
designed  by  a  sea  captain,  and  has  been  used  successfully  in  shooting  large  fish. 

37581.  This  bullet  is  similar  to  the  standard  .38-255,  except  that  the  point  is 
round,  same  shape  as  No.  37578. 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS  69 

37582.  This  is  a  fine  short  range  bullet,  and  requires  a  special  chamber  to 
seat  it. 

37584.  This  is  a  popular  series  of  bullets  for  both  short  and  long  range.  The 
shape  of  point  is  standard.     They  seat  all  right  in  the  regular  tools. 

37585.  This  is  a  fine  series  of  sharp  pointed,  heavy  and  light  weight  bullets. 
They  are  accurate  fliers.  With  the  lighter  ones,  squirrel  and  other  small  game 
may  be  killed  without  mangling. 

37586.  This  bullet  was  designed  by  the  Zettler  boys,  of  the  Zettler  Rifle  Club, 
New  York  City.  It  has  many  friends.  It  is  not  the  same  diameter  the  whole 
length ;  the  three  base  bands  are  .005  of  an  inch  above  the  standard  size,  so  they 
cannot  be  seated  in  the  regular  shell  without  being  sized. 

37587.  Round  ball,  for  light  charge  of  powder,  for  small  game,  short  range 
or  indoor  practice.  Too  much  powder  will  cause  them  to  jump  the  rifling;  with 
proper  quantity  they  shoot  very  nicely. 

37588.  This  is  the  famous  Rabbeth  bullet.  It  is  a  record  maker  and  is  used 
with  Chase  patch. 

37589.  This  is  an  illustration  of  bullet  from  Cylindrical  adjustable  mould. 
Bullet  is  cast  smooth  for  paper  patching.  Mould  will  cast  bullets  of  varying 
lengths,  with  flat,  round,  or  Leopold  point. 

.386  is  the  proper  diametej  of  heel  of  outside  lubricated  bullet  to  fit  the  .41  Colt 
shells.     .406  is  the  size  of  the  large  diameter  that  fits  the  barrel. 

386176.  This  is  the  old  style  .41  short  Colt's  O.  L.  bullet.  No.  i  tool  only. 
(See  Colt  Arms.) 

386177.  This  is  the  old  O.  L.  .41  Colt's  long.  No.  i  tool  only  for  loading 
this.     (See  Colt  Arms.) 

386178.  This  is  the  new  .41  Colt's  long  inside  lubricated.  The  shells  are 
longer  than  the  old  style  and  the  bullet  has  a  hollow  base  to  expand  at  discharge 
to  fit  the  barrel. 

.400  is  the  proper  diameter  of  bullets  for  all  arms  using  the  .38-40  cartridges- 
Winchester,  jMarlin,  and  Colt's  rifles  and  revolvers. 

40043.  This  is  the  regular  standard  .38-40  bullet.  It  is  also  a  fine  bullet  for 
.40  Cal.  short  range,  as  the  moulds  cast  it  .003  large.  See  40395  for  a  light  sharp 
point. 

40090.  Express  bullet.  Those  who  have  .38-40  rifles  can  increase  their  killing 
power  50  per  cent,  by  using  express  bullets.  The  shape  is  standard,  so  they  may 
be  loaded  with  the  regular  reloading  tools. 

40091.  Round  ball.  Is  used  with  light  charge  for  short  range  or  small  game. 
Too  much  powder  will  cause  them  to  jump  the  rifling.  Proper  charge  will  do 
good  light  shooting. 


60  AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 

.403  is  the  standard  size  of  bullets  for  nearly  all  .40  caliber  rifles — Sharp's,  Bal- 
lard's, Remington's,  Winchester's,  Marlin's,  Colt's,  Stevens',  and  others.  The 
following-  cartridges  have  bullets  all  of  the  same  shaped  points:  .40-60-210, 
.40-65-260,  .40-82-260,  .40-110-260.  The  shells  for  these  cartridges  are  different, 
by  Alarlin  and  others.  These  bullets  may  be  interchanged,  and,  though  of 
different  weights,  will  all  seat  properly  in  the  regular  reloading  tools  for  these 
cartridges.  The  .40-60  Marlin  and  Colt's  bullet  or  shell  is  not  of  the  same  shape 
as  the  .40-60  Winchester.     They  require  different  tools.     The  .40  Bullard  size  is 

•413- 

403147.  This  is  an  illustration  of  a  bullet  from  the  Cylindrical  adjustable 
mould.  The  bullet  is  cast  smooth  for  paper  patching.  Mould  will  cast  bullets  of 
varying  lengths,  with  flat,  round,  or  Leopold  point. 

403149.  This  is  the  original  .40-330  grooved  bullet,  used  in  the  .40-70  and 
.40-90  Sharp's,  Remington,  and  Ballard,  straight  and  bottle  necked  shells. 

403168.  This  is  the  standard  factory  bullet,  .40-60  Winchester.  It  weighs 
210  grains,  while  the  .40-60  Alarlin  weighs  260  grains.  Loading  tool  correct  for 
one  is  not  right  for  the  other. 

403169.  This  is  the  standard  Winchester  bullet  for  the  following  cartridges: 
.40-65-260,  .40-70-330,  .40-82-260,  .40-110-260,  all  Winchesters,  though  used 
but  the  bullets  are  the  same. 

403170.  This  is  the  .40-60  Alarlin,  260  grains,  factory  bullet.  It  is  frequently 
confused  with  the  .40-260  Winchester.  There  is  difference  in  the  shape  of  point. 
This  bullet  will  not  seat  properly  in  tool  that  is  correct  for  the  .40-260  Winchester. 

403 171.  This  is  the  only  .40-370  grooved  bullet  made.  All  other  .40  caliber, 
weighing  370  grains,  are  for  patching  with  paper. 

403172.  This  is  the  old  .40-285  Sharp's,  Ballard,  and  Remington;  an  old-time 
popular  bullet. 

403173.  This  is  a  special  .40-305,  used  extensively  for  Sharp's,  Ballard,  and 
Remington  rifles. 

40394.  This  series  of  bullets  was  designed  especially  for  the  .40-70  and  .40-90 
Sharp's  Straight,  Ballard,  and  Remington.  Sportsmen  having  these  rifles  report 
tfiem  fine.     They  are  much  less  trouble  than  patched  bullets. 

40395.  These  are  good  light  weight,  grooved,  short  range,  .40  caliber  bullets. 
They  require  special  chamber  to  scat  them.  Another  good  .40  caliber  short  range 
bullet  is  No.  40043. 

40396.  This  is  a  series  of  bullets  liked  by  many.  The  point  is  shorter  than 
standard.     There  are  some  good  light  and  heavy  weights. 

40397.  Round  ball.  This  is  for  extra  short  range  or  small  game.  Shoots 
well  with  proper  charge.     Too  much  powtlcr  will  cause  them  to  jump  the  rifling. 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS  61 

406150.  This  is  the  regular  factory  bullet  for  the  .40-72-330  Winchester.  The 
diameter  is  .003  larger  than  all  other  .40  caliber  Winchesters.  It  is  the  only  .40 
caliber  bullet  having  a  round  point,  which  is  preferred  by  many.  The  other  .^|0 
caliber  bullets  that  are  large  to  be  sized  will  fit  nicely. 

413174.  Is  the  Bullard  .40-70  or  .40-75,  and  has  a  very  good  reputation. 

413175.  Is  the  Bullard  .40-90-300,  and,  like  the  preceding,  gives  general  good 
satisfaction. 

41 5 1 79.  This  is  a  special  bullet  used  by  some  in  the  Bullard  rifles  with  good 
resiults.     It  is  not  much  used. 

.419  is  the  proper  diameter  of  bullets  for  the  .44  S.  &  W.  American  Model  pistol, 
1.44  Evans  rifle,  .44  long  Frank  Wesson  and  Ballard  rifles,  and  the  .44  Merwin  & 
;Hulbert  old  model  pistol. 

419180.  This  is  the  .44  S.  &  W.  American  pistol  bullet.  (See  Smith  &  Wesson 
[Revolver.) 

i  419181.  This  is  the  bullet  for  the  .44  Evans  New  Model  rifle,  and  is  a  very 
good  one. 

419182.  This  is  for  the  .44  Long  Ballard  rifle;  also  for  the  .44  Extra  Long 
Frank  Wesson. 

421 183.  This  is  for  the  old  rnodel  Merwin  &  Hulbert  revolver,  and  is  very 
jlittle  used  at  present. 

I  .424  is  the  proper  diameter  of  bullets  for  all  arms  using  the  well-known  .44-40 
cartridge.  It  is  the  original  .44  W.  C.  F.  made  by  the  Winchester  Company  for 
their  model  1873  repeating  rifles.  It  is  now  used  by  Marlin,  Colt,  and  others, 
and  has  many  friends  among  hunters. 

I  424100.  This  is  a  short  range,  grooved  ball  for  rifles  or  pistols.  Requires  No. 
13  special  tool  with  double  adjustable  chamber. 

424101.  Round  ball,  for  short  range  or  small  game.  Good  when  proper  charge 
Df  powder  is  used.  Too  much  powder  will  cause  them  to  jump  the  rifling.  Re- 
i quires  same  tool  as  No.  424100. 

I  424102.  This  is  a  short  range  ball  for  rifles,  revolvers  or  pistols,  and  has  a  flat 
ooint  and  hollow  base.     Requires  same  tool  as  No.  424100. 

42498.  This  is  the  regular  .44-40  bullet  for  Winchester,  Marlin,  and  Colt's 
j*ifles  and  pistols. 

;l!  42499-  Express  bullet.  The  shape  is  standard.  Loads  correctly  with  the 
"egular  tools.  Hunters  will  find  that  the  killing  qualities  of  their  .44-40  rifles  are 
^ncreased  50  per  cent,  by  the  use  of  this  bullet. 

II  427103.     This  bullet  is  for  the  .42  caliber  Russian  rifle,  and  is  very  effective. 

'I  .429  is  the  proper  diameter  of  bullets  for  the  .44  Smith  &  Wesson  Russian 
I  -evolver  and  all  other  arms  using  that  cartridge. 


62  AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 

4^9104.  This  is  tlie  lightest  short  range  groove  bullet  made  of  this  diameter. 
To  seat  it  properly,  the  No.  3  special  tool  with  double  adjustable  chamber  is 
required. 

429105.  This  bullet  is  same  as  429104,  except  that  it  has  round  point  and  flat 
base,  making  it  a  trifle  heavier.     It  requires  the  same  tool  as  above  to  seat  it. 

429106.  This  bullet  is  lighter  in  weight  than  the  regular  factory  bullet,  and 
is  preferred  by  many  on  that  account.  Requires  No.  3  special  tool  with  double 
adjustable  chamber. 

429107.  This  bullet  is  the  same  as  429106,  but  lightened  by  having  flat  point 
and  hollow  base,  which  is  preferred  by  some.  Requires  the  same  tool  as  above 
to  seat  it. 

429108.  Round  ball.  This  is  used  for  short  range  or  gallery  practice.  Re- 
quires same  tool  as  the  others  above. 

429184.  Is  the  regular  .44  S.  &  W.  Russian  bullet,  256  grains.  (See  Smith  & 
Wesson  Revolvers.) 

430185.  This  is  the  old  model  .44  Colt's  pointed  bullet.  It  is  a  heel  ball  and 
is  for  outside  lubrications.  The  larger  or  forward  part  that  fits  the  barrel  is  .446 
in  diameter.     .430  is  the  size  for  the  shell. 

439186.  Is  the  regular  .43  Spanish  grooved  bullet,  and  is  reported  very  effective 
at  all  times. 

.446  is  the  diameter  of  bullets  for  the  old  Sharp's,  Remington  and  Ballard  rifles, 
both  straight  and  bottle  necked  shells. 

446187.  This  is  the  regular  .44-90  B.  N.,  470  grains;  and  the  400  grains  is  for 
the  .44-77  B.  N. 

446188.  This  is  a  special  bullet  for  the  above  rifles,  designed  by  IMajor  Mc- 
Farlane. 

449189.  This  is  the  regular  factory  bullet  for  the  .45  S.  &  W.  "Schofield 
Model"  revolver. 

.451  is  the  standard  size  of  bullets  for  the  original  .45  caliber  Sharp  rifles. 
There  were  many  rifles,  however,  made  by  the  Sharp  Company  toward  the  last 
of  their  existence,  that  were  bored,  rifled  and  chambered  for  the  .45-70  U.  S.  Gov- 
ernment cartridge,  which  requires  a  ball  .457  in  diameter.  This  mix  up  has 
caused  much  trouble  among  owners  of  these  valuable  rifles.  It  is  generally  safe 
for  those  whose  rifles  will  chamber  the  regular  .45-70  Government  cartridges  cor- 
rectly to  conclude  that  the  proper  size  ball  for  such  rifle  is  the  .457  Government 
and  not  the  .451  Sharp.  The  long  range  Remington  and  Ballard  rifles  also  use 
the  standard  Sharp  shells  (and  bullets),  which  are  designated  as  follows:  -45-75 
Sharp's;  .45  S.,  2  i-io";  .45  S.,  2  4-10";  45  S.,  .2  6-10";  .45  S.,  2f;  and  .45  S,, 
3}".     2  I- 10  inches  is  also  he  standard  length  of  the  .45-70  Government  shell. 


AMERICAN    SMALL  ARMS  63 

451 1 12.  These  bullets  are  the  same  shape  as  the  .45  caliber  Winchester.  There 
are  some  fine  ligiht  and  heavy  weights  in  this  series. 

45 1 1 13.  These  bullets  are  similar  in  shapa  to  the  .45-70  Govt.  No.  3  special 
tool  only  made  to  seat  them. 

45 1 1 14.  This  is  one  of  the  old  original  Sharp's  grooved  bullets;  it  is  called 
the  old  reliable.     No.  3  special  tool  only. 

451 1 15.  This  is  the  famous  Col.  Pickett's  .45-325  patched,  express  bullet.  No. 
3  special  tool  only. 

45 1 1 16.  This  is  the  same  in  shape  as  the  451 115.  It  is  solid  and  has  a  hollow 
base.     No.  3  special  tool  only. 

451 1 17.  Express  bullet,  shaped  after  the  .45-70  Govt.     No.  3  special  tool  only. 

451 1 18.  Round  ball,  for  short  range  or  practice  work.  No.  3  tool  with  double 
adjustable  chamber  required. 

451 1 19.  This  is  a  very  popular  series  of  bullets,  and  excellent  for  large  game. 
No.  3  special  tool  only. 

451 120.  This  is  an  illustration  of  a  bullet  from  Cylindrical  adjustable  mould. 
The  bullet  is  cast  smooth  for  paper  patching.  Mould  will  cast  bullets  of  varying 
lengths,  with  flat,  round  or  Leopold  point. 

.454  is  the  standard  diameter  of  bullet  for  the  .45  Colt's  revolver.  The  frontier- 
man's  and  the  cowboy's  friend. 

454148.  The  heavier  weight  is  lighter  than  the  standard  bullet  and  is  claimed 
to  be  more  pleasant  to  shoot.  The  lighter  weight  is  the  lightest  grooved  bullet 
made  for  the  .45  Colt's.  Requires  No.  3  special  tool  with  double  adjustable 
chamber. 

454190.     Is  the  regular  standard  .45  Colt's,  255  grs.     See  Colt  Arms. 

45467.  This  bullet  is  very  popular  for  medium  charges,  and  requires  the 
same  tool  as  above. 

45468.  This  is  the  same  as  45467,  except  that  it  is  made  lighter  by  having  flat 
point  and  hollow  base.  Some  prefer  this  form  of  bullet.  No.  3  special  tool  with 
double  adjustable  chamber  required. 

45469.  Round  ball.  This  is  used  with  a  very  light  charge  for  short  range  and 
gallery  practice.     Requires  same  tool  as  above. 

.456  is  the  proper  diameter  of  bullets  for  all  arms  using  the  following  cartridges : 
.45-60-300,  .45-70-350,  45-75-350,  45-70-330  Gould,  .45-90-300,  .45-125-300;  all 
Winchesters.  These  bullets  are  all  of  the  same  shape  and  may  be  interchanged. 
They  will  seat  properly  in  any  reloading  tool  for  above  cartridges.  This  size  is  so 
near  the  U.  S.  Government  .45  caliber  that  the  bullets  of  both  sizes  may  be  inter- 
changed; the  latter,  however,  require  different  loading  tools. 


64  AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 

456121.  This  is  a  series  of  bullets  haviiii^-  the  standard  points.  All  are  correct 
for  any  of  the  regular  reloading  tools. 

456122.  This  is  the  famous  .45-330  Gould  express  bullet,  designed  by  Air. 
Barlow,  and  was  originally  made  for  Mr.  Gould,  editor  of  Shooting  and  Fishing. 
It  has  a  great  reputation  as  a  killer  of  large  game.  The  shape  is  correct  for  any 
of  the  regular  reloading  tools  for  45  Winchester  caliber.  It  is  also  used  in  the 
.45-70  Government  shells.     Requires  chamber  same  shape  as  Winchester  bullets. 

456123.  Round  ball,  is  to  be  used  with  light  charges  of  powder  for  small  game 
or  short  range  practice.     Requires  No.  3  tool  with  double  adjustable  chamber. 

456191.  This  is  the  regular  factory  bullet  for  .45-60,  .45-90,  and  .45-125 
Express.  The  .45-90  Winchester  shell  is  loaded  with  various  charges  of  powder 
and  different  bullets;  the  cartridges  are  known  as  .45-85-350,  .45-82-405  and 
.45-90-300.  With  Perfection  mould  you  can  get  the  whole  series  of  bullets  No. 
456121  and  the  same  reloading  tool  will  be  correct  for  all. 

456192.  This  is  the  standard  bullet  for  .45-75  and  .45-70  Winchester.  See 
Winchester  Arms. 

.457  is  the  proper  size  of  bullet  for  the  standard  .45  U.  S.  Government  rifles  and 
all  other  arms  using  that  ammunition.  The  .456  Winchester  bullets  are  so  near 
this  size  that  they  are  frequently  used  for  the  same  arms  when  lighter  bullets  are 
desired ;  they,  however,  require  special  chamber  to  load. 

457124.  This  is  the  regular  standard  .45-70-405  Government  bullet  and  is  very 
satisfactory. 

457125.  This  is  the  standard  .45-70-500  Government  bullet.  No.  6  or  No.  5 
tool  is  made  for  this  cartridge,  as  well  as  for  457124. 

457126.  This  is  a  series  of  bullets  lighter  and  heavier  weight,  having  same 
shape  as  the  Government  405  grains.  Single  mould  will  make  round  standard 
point.  Perfection  mould  will  make  flat  point.  Either  may  be  seated  with  the 
regular  tool. 

457127.  This  bullet  has  become  very  popular  for  light  charge,  small  game, 
short  range  or  gallery  practice.  The  various  U.  S.  Government  Marine  Barracks 
have  been  furnished  with  Armory  moulds  for  this  bullet,  for  target  practice,  on 
account  of  its  accuracy.     It  requires  double  adjustable  chamber  to  seat  it. 

457128.  This  bullet  is  the  same  as  457127.  except  that  it  is  lightened  bv  having 
point  flat  and  base  hollow,  which  is  preferred  by  some.  Double  adjustable  cham- 
ber required. 

457129.  Round  ball  for  very  short  range,  armory  or  gallery  practice.  Re- 
quires double  adjustable  chamber. 

457130.  This  bullet  is  same  weight  as  the  round  ball.     Is  preferred  by  some 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS  ;66 

for  light  work  on  account  of  having  groove  for  lubrication  andi  two  bands  to  hold 
on  to  the  rifling. 

45713 1.  This  is  the  standard  factory  bullet  for  the  .45-85-285  cartridge. 
Chambers  for  .45  Government  or  .45  Winchester  do  not  seat  this  bullet  properly. 

457132.  This  is  a  special  bullet  used  by  some  military  sharpshooters  for  long 
range  target  ^vork. 

457193.  Is  the  regular  .45-70-405  Marlin.  The  difference  between  it  and  the 
.45-70-405  Government  is  the  flat  point. 

457194.  Is  a  special  tip  for  bullets  457124  and  457193.  These  tips  may  be 
cast  of  soft,  pure  lead  for  mushrooming  or  upsetting,  thus  increasing  the  killing 
powers ;  or  they  may  be  cast  of  a  very  hard  mixture  to  increase  the  penetration. 
Any  one  having  a  mould  for  the  .45-70-405  Government  or  Marlin,  or  for  the 
.45-70-500  Government  may  use  these  tips.  The  tips  are  cast  from  soft  or  hard 
metal  as  desired  and  then  set  in  the  moulds  mentioned  and  the  balance  of  the  bullet 
run  from  the  regular  mixture. 

457195  is  a  bullet  for  the  Webley  Mark  i  (English)  and  the  Colt's  and  Smith 
&  Wesson  revolvers. 

.509  is  the  proper  diameter  of  bullets  for  the  .50  Sharp  and  Remington  sporting 
rifles,  also  for  many  English  arms  using  the  Eley  .50  caliber  cartridges. 

509133.  These  bullets  are  in  shape  like  the  .50-70  Government.  No.  3  special 
tool  required. 

509134.  This  is  a  round  point  bullet  of  lighter  weight  than  standard.  No.  3 
special  tool  with  double  adjustable  chamber. 

509135.  This  makes  a  fine  light  weight  grooved  ball  for  above  rifles.  No.  3 
special  tool  with  double  adjustable  chamber  required. 

509136.  Round  ball.  This  is  for  light  charge  of  powder,  small  game  or  short 
range. 

.512  is  the  proper  diameter  of  bullets  for  all  arms  using  the  .50-110-300  express, 
.50-100-450,  .50-95,  etc.     The  points  of  all  these  bullets  are  of  the  same  shape. 

512137.  This  bullet,  350  grains,  is  similar  to  512138,  with  four  grooves  only. 
One  band  shorter  will  make  a  bullet  weighing  about  300  grains,  which  bullet  is 
thought  well  of  by  many. 

512138.  This  bullet  was  first  made  by  Mr.  Barlow  for  a  heavier  ball  for  the 
.50-95  Winchester.  It  was  afterwards  adopted  as  the  standard  bullet  for  the 
.50-110-450  Winchester. 

512139.  This  is  the  standard  .50  Winchester  express  bullet.  See  Winchester 
Arms. 

512140.  Round  ball,  for  very  light  charge  of  powder,  short  range,  etc. 


66  AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 

512197.  This  is  a  special  bullet  made  for  the  New  York  Seventh  Regiment. 
Very  favorably  reported. 

.515.  This  is  the  standard  size  for  all  arms  using  the  regular  .50-70  Govern- 
ment cartridges. 

515141.  This  is  the  regular  standard  .50-70-450  bullet,  and  has  an  excellent 
reputation. 

515142.  This  is  a  special  bullet  made  for  the  New  York  Seventh,  Thirteenth, 
Twenty-second  and  other  New  York  regiments.  Shells  are  supposed  to  be  crimped 
over  the  second  band,  making  the  cartridge  over  all  longer,  allowing  more  room 
for  the  powder.  It  is  used  for  long  range  target  work.  No.  3  special  tool  is 
required. 

518144.  This  is  a  special  grooved  bullet  made  for  short  range,  gallery  or 
ai-mory  practice.  It  is  made  a  little  above  the  Government  size,  but  used  in  those 
rifles.  Has  met  with  great  favor  among  the  New  York  militia  for  short  range  or 
gallery  practice.     No.  3  special  tool  required. 

518145.  This  is  the  same  shape  as  518144,  is  one  band  longer  to  suit  those  who 
desire  a  medium  range  bullet.     Requires  same  tool  as  above. 

538146.  This  bullet  is  for  some  of  the  old  style  rifles  called  .58  caliber,  but 
is  seldom  seen  in  use  at  the  present  time. 

POWDER. 

The  incorporation,  or  grinding  together,  of  the  three  ingredients  that  form 
gunpowder  is  by  far  the  most  important  process  in  the  whole  manufacture, 
for  unless  the  minute  particles  of  the  ingredients  be  thoroughly  blended  and 
brought  into  the  closest  contact  with  each  other,  all  subsequent  operations — 
however  well  performed — will  not  compensate  for  the  error.  The  incorpor- 
ating mill  consists  of  two  large  and  heavy  "hard  chill"  cast-iron  edge  run- 
ners, revolving  on  a  circular  cast-iron  bed;  the  peculiar  action  of  these  run- 
ners or  rollers  is  well  adapted  for  thoroughly  grinding  and  incorporating 
the  several  ingredients;  their  great  weight  is  for  crushing  the  ingredients; 
which  are  also  ground  together  by  the  twisting  action  produced  by  the  roll- 
ers traveling  round  in  a  small  circle.  Each  roller  travels  over  the  bed  in  a 
separate  track,  and  is  assisted  by  the  plough,  which  mixes  the  material,  so  that 
it  is  subjected  to  crushing,  grinding,  and  mixing  by  the  one  operation.  The 
composition  attains  a  body  in  about  one  hour  after  the  runners  are  set  in 
motion,  and  the  action  of  the  ploughs  in  moving  the  whole  of  the  material  on 
and  across  the  bed  thoroughly  mixes  it,  and  subjects  every  jiartiole  lo  the  same 
amount  of  pressure.  Each  pair  of  runners  is  i^rovided  with  a  telltale  dial, 
which  shows  the  attendant  the  time  that  the  mill  has  to  run,  and  enables  him 


AMERICAN    SMALL  ARMS  67 

to  judge  the  condition  of  the  cake  from  time  to  time.  From  three  to  four 
hours  is  the  period  a  charge  should  be  on  the  mill,  providing  the  engine  or 
water-wheel  is  maintained  at  its  proper  speed.  The  cake  should  be  of  a 
blackish-gray  color,  and,  when  broken,  of  a  uniform  appearance,  without  any 
white  or  yellow  specks  in  it;  the  presence  of  these  would  indicate  insufficient 
incorporation  or  grinding.  Furthermore,  it  should  not  be  more  than  half  an 
inch  in  thickness,  in  order  to  be  thoroughly  incorporated,  nor  should  it  be 
less  than  a  quarter  of  an  inch  thick  to  insure  safety,  because  if  the  runners  are 
allowed  to  come  in  contact  with  the  bed,  the  friction  caused  by  their  twist- 
ing action  is  so  great  that  an  explosion  would  almost  certainly  be  the  result. 
For  fine  sporting  gunpowder  the  operation  of  incorporating  is  continued  in 
some  cases  for  as  long  as  eight  hours,  and  with  heavier  rollers,  but  it  is 
doubtful   whether   the    powder    is    much,  if  at  all,  improved  thereby. 

When  grains  of  powder  are  united  to  form  a  charge,  and  fire  is  communi- 
cated to  one  of  them,  the  heat  and  expansive  gases  evolved  insinuate  them- 
selves into  the  interstices  of  the  charge,  envelop  the  grains,  and  unite  them 
one  after  another.  This  propagation  of  ignition  is  called  inflammation,  and  its 
velocity  the  velocity  of  inflammation.  It  is  much  greater  than  that  of  combustion, 
and  it  should  not  be  confounded  with  it.  When  powder  is  burned  in  an  open  train, 
fine  powder  inflames  more  rapidly  than  coarse;  such,  however,  is  not  the  case 
in  fire-arms,  owing  to  the  diminution  of  the  interstices.  If  a  charge  were 
composed  of  mealed  powder,  the  flame  could  no  longer  find  its  way  through 
the  interstices,  and  the  velocity  of  inflammation  and  combustion  would  become 
the  same.  Now,  supposing  one  grain  or  particle  alone  be  ignited,  it  will  be 
inflamed  over  the  whole  surface,  and  the  progressive  combustion  will  take 
place  from  the  exterior  to  the  interior.  Its  rate  of  combustion  will  therefore 
depend  upon  both  its  shape  and  size,  leaving  out  entirely  for  the  present,  the 
question  of  density  and  hardness.  A  particle  of  spherical  or  cubical  form  will 
expose  less  surface  to  ignition  in  proportion  to  its  volume  than  one  of  an  elon- 
gated or  flat  shape,  and  will  consequently  require  a  longer  period  for  the  com- 
bustion of  its  entire  mass;  the  larger  the  particle,  also,  the  longer  will  be  the 
time  required  for  its  combustion.  Looking,  then,  at  one  grain  of  powder  by 
itself,  we  may  say  that  the  larger  it  is,  and  the  more  nearly  its  form  approaches 
a  sphere,  the  longer  will  its  combustion  take,  and  the  slower  will  be  the 
evolution  of  the  gas.  When,  however,  we  come  to  regard  the  action  of  an 
^ggi'egation  of  such  particles,  as  in  the  charge  of  a  gun,  the  rate  of  ignition  of 
the  whole  charge  is  also  affected  by  the  size  and  shape  of  the  grain.  The 
part  of  the  charge  first  ignited  is  that  near  the  vent,  and  the  remainder  is 
inflamed  by  contact  with  the  heated  gas  generated  by  the  combustion  of  this 


68  AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 

portion,  so  that  the  rate  of  ignition  of  the  whole  mass  will  be  regulated  by  the 
greater  or  less  facility  with  which  the  gas  can  penetrate  throughout  the  charge, 
which  is  itself  dependent  upon  the  shape  and  size  of  the  interstices  between 
the  grains.  If  the  grains  be  spherical  and  regular  in  form,  the  interstices  will 
be  comparatively  large  and  uniform,  and  the  gas  will  penetrate  the  mass  with 
facility;  again,  the  larger  the  grains,  the  larger  the  interstices  between  them. 
If,  on  the  other  hand,  they  be  flat  or  flaky  and  irregular  in  shape,  the  passage 
of  the  gas  will  be  more  difficult,  and  the  rate  of  inflammation  of  the  charge 
reduced.  We  see,  therefore,  that  the  considerations  which  affect  the  more  or 
less  rapid  combustion  of  an  individual  grain  of  gunpowder,  also  affect  the 
rate  of  ignition  of  a  charge  of  such  grains,  but  in  an  opposite  direction;  so 
that  a  form  of  grain  which  individually  burns  rapidly  may  offer  an  increased 
resistance  to  the  passage  of  the  heated  gas  through  the  charge,  and  thereby 
retard  its  ignition,  while  a  grain  which  will  burn  more  slowly  may  allow  of 
the  charge  being  more  rapidly  ignited.  By  varying  the  size  and  shape  of 
the  grain  alone,  a  powder  may  therefore  be  obtained,  a  charge  of  which  shall  be 
ignited  rapidly  throughout,  but  burn  comparatively  slowly,  or  one  which 
shall  be  ignited  more  slowly,  but  when  once  inflamed  burn  very  rapidly.  It  is 
necessary  to  draw  a  clear  distinction  between  a  rapidly  igniting  and  a  quickly 
burning  powder.  The  heat  developed  increases  with  the  charge,  and  as  the  ve- 
locity of  the  gases  increases  with  their  temperature,  it  is  therefore  evident 
that  a  large  charge  is  consumed  quicker  than  a  small  one;  it  is  also  true 
that  the  loss  of  heat  absorbed  by  the  surface  of  the  bore  is  much  less  sensible 
when  the  charge  is  greater  than  when  it  is  small;  that  is,  the  quantity  ab- 
sorbed is  proportional  to  the  surface  of  the  square  of  the  caliber  of  the  gun 
and  the  heat  developed  increases  as  the  cube  of  the  caliber. 

The  various  black  powders,  every  variety  having  its  merits  peculiar  to 
itself,  have  served  us  long  and  well;  but,  with  the  appearance  of  the  multiple 
loading  rifle,  smokeless  powder  is  coming  into  extensive  use  for  military  and 
hunting  purposes.  The  advantage  of  smokeless  rifle  powder  is,  that  the  prod- 
ucts of  combustion  being  entirely  or  mainly  gaseous,  the  solid  or  unconsumed 
residue  is  very  small,  leaving  the  bore  of  the  rifle  comparatively  clean  after 
firing.  The  smoke  produced  is  almost  nothing,  generally,  only  a  slight  pufi 
being  noticeable  and  that  dissipating  innnediately.  The  chief  advantage  from 
the  sportsman's  or  hunter's  standpoint  is  the  high  chamber  pressure  of  from 
fifteen  to  twenty-five  tons  per  square  inch,  giving  to  the  bullet  very  high  muz- 
zle velocities — 2,000  to  2,500  feet  ])er  second,  which  consequently  give  very 
flat  trajectories.  A  flat  trajectory  has  always  been  insisted  on  by  sjiortsmen  for 
hunting   rifles,   even    that   resulting   from  heavy  charged  military  arms  not  sat- 


'AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS  69 

isfying  them,  and  rightly  so,  for  it  almost  eliminates  or  at  least  greatly  simpli- 
fies the  calculations  of  distances,  and  the  constant  manipulation  of  sights 
common  to  the  black  powder  high  trajectory  rifles. 

Compared  with  chamber  pressures  developed  by  black  powder  the  differ- 
ence is  remarkable,  as  with  black  powder  the  pressures  were  probably  never 
over  fifteen  tons  per  square  inch,  whereas  with  smokeless  powder,  using  a 
charge  to  impart  2,000  feet  velocity,  the  chamber  pressure  runs  up  to  twenty 
or  twenty-five  tons  per  square  inch,  and  to  give  2,500  feet  velocity  pressures 
run  up  from  twenty-five  to  thirty  tons  for  regular  charges  and  for  excessive 
charges  sometimes  as  high  as  forty  tons  per  square  inch. 

Such  enormous  pressures  require  greatly  increased  strength  and  soHdity 
in  the  breech  mechanism,  and  a  corresponding  increase  in  the  strength  of  the 
barrel.  Both  barrels  and  action  are  now  made  of  a  superior  grade  of  steel, 
costing  five  times  as  much  as  the  machinery  steel  used  for  black  powder  rifles, 
and  the  barrels  are  increased  in  thickness  over  the  chamber  and  to  keep  down 
the  weight  reduced  ixi  thickness  toward  the  muzzle.  The  jacketed  bullet  be- 
ing so  much  harder  than  lead  would  wear  out  the  rifling  rapidly  were  not  the 
barrels  made  of  hard  material,  as  hard  as  can  be  properly  worked.  All  of 
which  add  greatly  to  the  cost  of  the  present  rifle. 

The  chamber  pressures  in  nitro  charged  shot-guns  do  not  compare  'with 
the  intensity  of  pressures  in  rifles,  they  averaging  generally  not  over  five  or 
six  tons  per  inch.  Nitro  powders  as  used  in  shot-guns  should  never  be  used 
in  rifles;  nothing  but  smokeless  rifle  powder  should  be  used,  following  care- 
fully the  directions  for  loading,  and  no  experimenting  with  excessive  charges 
should  be  indulged  in. 

The    high    chamber   pressure   giving  great  velocity  to  the  bullet,  necessi- 
tates, in  order  to  secure  steadiness  of  flight,  a  more  rapid  twist  to  the  rifling, 
say  one  turn  to  six  and  a  half  to  twelve    inches,    instead    of    the    sixteen    to 
twenty-four    in  the  rifles  made  for  black   powder.      Leaden    bullets  fired   with 
high  velocities  through  such  barrels  will  not  follow  the  rifling,  but  will  strip 
and  override  the  lands,  for  which  reason  the  surface  of  the  projectile  is  made 
i    of  some  harder  metal,  but  to  retain  the  high  specific  gravity  of  the  lead  with 
j   the  consequent  ability  of  the  ball  to  better  overcome  the  resistance  of  the  air, 
'    the  greater  portion  of  the  bullet  is  made  of  a  lead  slug  and  then  coated  or 
jacketed  with  a  covering,  about  0.02  inch  thick,  of  some  hard  metal,  as  steel, 
i    copper,  nickel,  or  German  silver. 

The  soft  lead  bullet  of  the  old  rifle  is  made  of  about  the  same  or  even  less 
diameter  of  the  bore,  and  then  under  the  effect  of  its  inertia  and  the  blow 
produced  by  the  combustion  of  the  charge  was  set  out  into  the  grooves  of  the 


70  AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 

rifling.  With  the  jacketed  bullet  the  maximum  diameter  exceeds  that  of  the 
bore  bv  a  difference  nearly  equal  to  double  the  depth  of  the  grooves  and  the 
bullet  is  forced  through  rather  than  set  out  into  them. 

The  largest  game  in  the  world,  the  royal  Bengal  tiger  of  India,  the  ele- 
phant and  the  rhinocerous  of  Central  Africa,  are  now  being  successfully  hunt- 
ed and  slain  by  men  using  the  .303  caliber  Savage  rifle.  Sportsmen  who  have 
never  tried  the  small-caliber  rifles  and  smokeless  powder  ammunition  are 
somewhat  skeptical  as  regards  the  killing  or  stopping  power  of  the  small 
metal-covered  expanding  bullets.  The  secret  of  the  deadly  effect  of  these  small 
projectiles  lies  in  their  expanding  qualities  and  extraordinary  velocity,  which 
impart  a  percentage  of  their  energy  to  the  otherwise  inert  flesh  and  bone;  and 
these  substances  being  acted  upon  by  so  quick  a  blow,  become  themselves  pro- 
jectiles, following  a  well-known  mechanical  law,  lacerating  the  surrounding 
tissues  and  bone,  and  leaving  a  path  of  destruction  which  is  widened  by  re- 
sistance encountered  by  the  bullet. 

RELOADING  SHELLS. 

In  1866,  when  the  manufacture  of  the  service-cartridge  was  commenced 
at  Frankford  Arsenal,  Philadelphia,  Pa.,  little  or  nothing  was  known  as  to 
how  a  good  reliable  cartridge  could  be  made.  To  explain  the  difficulties 
which  had  to  be  overcome  at  every  step,  the  machines  to  be  invented  to  do 
the  work  uniformly,  accurately  and  economically,  would  fill  a  large  volume. 
It  can  be  said,  however,  that  through  the  combined  efforts  of  the  officers  in 
command  of  Frankford  Arsenal,  Philadelphia,  and  the  National  Armory, 
Springfield,  Mass.,  a  cartridge  was  produced  which  would  reflect  credit  upon 
any  nation.  Up  to  the  present  time  this  cartridge,  perfected  and  modified, 
has  been  the  service  cartridge  for  breech-loading  small-arms  and  machine 
guns.  With  the  invention  and  adoption  of  breech-loading  small-arms  and 
metallic  cartridge  shells,  heavier  and  more  uniform  charges  of  powder  were 
introduced,  giving  greater  range  and  accuracy.  This  was  followed  by  a  de- 
sire and  necessity  for  soldiers  becoming  trained  inarksmen.  To  meet  econom- 
ically the  demand  for  an  increased  expenditure  of  ammunition  thus  produced, 
reloading  shells  were  used.  Until  this  demand  came  such  shells  had  not  been 
made  to  any  extent  at  Frankford  Arsenal,  although  a  plan  for  making  them 
had  been  worked  up  at  that  post  which  has  since  been  quite  generally  adopted 
by  all  manufacturers,  of  reloading  shells  in  this  country,  and  also  abroad  by 
several  nations,  viz.,  making  a  pocket  in  the  head  of  the  shell  formed  in  the 
continuous  metal  from  which  it  is  drawn,  and  into  which  a  primer  could  be 
inserted   from   the   exterior.      Reloading   shells  have  generally  been  made  of 


AMERICAN   SMALL   ARMS  71 

brass,  and  are  now  so  made  to  a  great  extent.  This  metal  possesses  sufficient 
elasticity,    but    is    wanting   in    durability,  as  experience  has  proved. 

The  Bridgeport  tool  for  exterior  extraction  of  the  exploded  primer,  and 
specially  adapted  to  the  "Berdan"  shells,  may  be  used  for  all  cartridges;  but 
the  primer  punch  for  central-vent  shells  is  the  more  simple  and  positive  in  its 
action.  If  the  wire  of  the  extractor  should  break,  extra  ones  are  supplied  with 
each  set  of  tools,  and  are  put  in  by  unscrewing  the  plug  in  the  head  of  the 
extractor,  driving  out  the  broken  pin  with  the  new  one  in  the  direction  of 
the  head,  the  hole  being  tapered,  dropping  in  the  new  pin  at  the  head,  and 
replacing  the  screw  plug. 

The  shells,  whether  old  or  recently  fired,  should  always,  if  possible,  be 
cleaned  of  the  powder  residue,  etc.,  by  immersion  and  agitation  in  hot  water. 
Cold  water  will  clean  them,  but  hot  water  is  a  better  solvent,  and  the  shells 
dry  more  quickly  when  taken  out  of  it.  When  circumstances  render  it  impos- 
sible or  inconvenient  to  use  water,  the  brush  wiper  may  be  used  for  brushing 
out  the  residuum  left  in  the  shell  by  the  combustion  of  powder  and  fulminate. 
After  cleaning,  examine  the  shell  to  ascertain  if  it  shows  signs  of  rupture. 
These  may  generally  be  seen  at  the  head,  the  mouth,  or  as  transverse  or  lon- 
gitudinal marks  on  the  body.  The  shell  is  next  forced  into  the  die  for  resiz- 
ing, using  the  mallet  if  necessary,  striking  fairly  and  squarely  on  the  head  of 
the  shell,  so  as  to  avoid  bending  or  distorting  its  flange.  The  outside  of  the 
shell  or  inside  of  the  die  should  be  oiled  to  facihtate  the  entrance  of  the  shell 
and  prevent  abrasion.  It  is  driven  out  by  means  of  the  punch  inserted  in  the 
die  and  shell.  This  last  operation  is  likely  to  cause  a  bur  on  the  mouth  of  the 
shell,  which  would  deface  the  bullet  if  not  removed.  For  this  purpose  the 
scraper  is  supplied.  Insert  it  about  o''.5  into  the  shell,  held  in  left  hand, 
scraper  in  right;  give  the  shell  and  scraper  a  half-turn  in  opposite  directions, 
bearing  with  the  scraper  only  hard  enough  to  take  of?  the  bur.  The  handle 
of  scraper  and  axis  of  shell  should  be  kept  nearly  parallel  to  each  other  to 
avoid  thinning  the  mouth  of  the  shell.  Although  the  shell  may  be  fired  sev- 
eral times  without  resizing,  this  operation  is  considered  necessary  after  each 
round,  otherwise  the  shell  will  be  unduly  expanded  by  successive  rounds, 
md  eventually  fail  to  enter  the  gun-chamber;  after  which  the  extra  force  re- 
:iuired  to  resize  it  might  prove  injurious  to  the  metal. 

The  shell  is  next  inserted  in  the  loading  die,  the  primer  entered  into  the 
Docket,  and  the  safety  socket  placed  over  it,  large  end  down;  the  primer 
nay  then  be  driven  home  with  the  primer-punch  and  mallet.  Considerable 
oss  of  primers  by  premature  explosion  in  this  operation  has  occurred,  and  a 
ool   is   supplied   for   setting  primers   by   pressure,    which   is   used   as   follows: 


72  AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 

The  shell  is  placed  in  the  tool  for  inserting  primers — the  primer  having  been 
previously  just  entered  in  the  pocket — and  the  primer  pressed  home  by  means 
of  the  lever  and  screw.  The  end  of  the  screw  is  so  formed  as  to  insure  the 
primer  being  below  the  surface  of  the  head  at  least  o".oo5.  It  should  be 
slighty  lubricated  to  avoid  wear  of  the  projection  on  the  end  and  abrasion  of 
the  primer.  The  Bridgeport  tool  may  also  be  used  to  set  the  primers  of  all 
shells  but  the  "Lowell,"  which  has,  intentionally,  a  primer  to  fit  the  pocket 
tightly,  and  requires  considerable  force  for  its  proper  insertion.  The  screw 
tool  will  set  the  "Frankford  Arsenal,"  "Berdan,"  "Lowell,"  and  "Winchester" 
primers  equally  well.  The  shell  is  now  ready  for  reloading.  It  is  inserted  in 
the  loaded  die,  the  latter  into  the  safety-socket,  and  the  powder-funnel  into 
the  mouth  of  the  die.  A  level  measureful  of  powder  is  then  poured  into  the 
shell  through  the  funnel,  after  which  the  bullet,  or  shot,  is  inserted  and  driven 
home  with  the  punch  and  mallet  until  the  shoulder  of  the  punch  touches  the 
end  of  the  die.    This  insures  proper  and   uniform   length   of   cartridge. 

The  reloading  die  may  be  used  as  a  gauge  for  determining  whether  car- 
tridges are  of  the  proper  dimensions  for  entering  the  chambers  of  guns.  As 
a  rule,  any  cartridge  that  will  enter  the  reloading  die  will  enter  the  chamber 
of  the  gun  freely.  It  is,  in  fact,  a  combined  reloading  die  and  gauge  for  car- 
tridges. To  use  it  as  a  gauge  insert  the  punch  in  the  small  end  and  the  car- 
tridge in  the  opposite  end.  If  the  cartridge  enters  fully  without  moving  the 
punch,  it  is  of  proper  length  and  diameter. 

When  shells  are  reloaded  for  immediate  use  they  may  be  fired  after  the 
foregoing  operation.  But  if  loaded  for  storage  for  any  length  of  time,  the 
crimping  die  should  be  used  to  secure  the  bullet  in  position.  To  perform 
this  operation,  insert  the  loaded  cartridge  into  the  die,  then  set  the  head  in 
the  recess  of  the  safety-socket,  the  latter  resting  on  a  bench  or  table,  and 
drive  the  cartridge  in  with  the  blows  of  the  mallet  on  top  of  the  die.  The 
safety-socket  has  a  central  hole  concentric  with  the  counter-bore.  In  extract- 
ing the  primers  it  supports  the  head  of  the  case  and  forms  a  receptacle  for  ex- 
ploded primers.  It  also  supports  the  head  of  the  shell  on  opposite  ends  in  the 
operation  of  loading  and  crimping,  and  the  central  hole  protects  the  primer 
from  severe  shocks  in  driving  home  tlie  bullet,  and  it  also  guides  the  punch 
in  setting  the  primers.  Particular  care  should  bo  taken  to  free  the  exterior 
of  the  shell  from  grit  or  dirt  before  resizing,  to  protect  the  die  and  shell  from 
scratches;  also  that  neither  water  nor  oil  gets  into  the  case  or  primer,  as 
cither  will  injure  or  destroy  the  ]>)wder  or  fulminate.  No  excess  of  oil  should 
be  left  in  the  chamber  of  the  gun  or  on  the  cartridge,  as  it  would  tend  to  rup- 
ture the  case  in  firing  and  also  temporarily  disable  the  gun.    A  slight  amount 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 


73 


of  lubricant  on  the  cartridge  or  chamber  throughout  their  length  seems  to 
prolong  the  life  of  reloaded  shells.  The  tendency  of  the  shells  to  tear  apart 
appears  to  be  due  to  their  unequal  expansion  in  the  chamber;  the  front  end 
being  thin  is  more  quickly  expanded,  and  in  the  absence  of  the  lubricant  is 
held  by  pressure  and  friction  against  the  walls  of  the  chamber,  while  the  thick 
rear  end  of  the  shell  is  forced  backward  by  the  pressure  of  the  gases.  As  a 
rule,  sufficient  lubricant  from  the  bullet  finds  its  way  into  the  chamber  to  an- 
swer all  purposes.  These  tools  are  made  as  simple  and  strong  as  possible. 
Some  of  them,  particularly  the  dies  and  pitnches,  require  to  be  used  with  great 
care,  so  as  not  to  injure  their  surfaces  or  alter  their  dimensions,  where  such 
would  afifect  the  cartridge.  They  are  cheap,  durable,  and  quite  rapid  in 
operation  if  the  work  be  divided  among  several  operators  or  be  done  by  one 
person   performing  each  operation   separately  on  a  number  of  shells. 

All  our  prominent  gun  manufacturers  realize  the  fact  that  two  guns  made 
practically  alike,  so  much  so  that  the  closest  measurements  with  most  deli- 
cate instruments  fail  to  disclose  the  slightest  difference  between  the  two,  do 
not  give  like  results  with  identical  loads  when  tested.  One  of  these  guns  may 
show  superior  results  with  No.  8  shot,  another  with  No.  7,  and  still  another 
with  No.  9.  As  with  the  shot  so  with  the  powders  used.  A  charge  of  three 
drams  may  prove  the  best  with  one  arm,  while  it  takes  the  fraction  of  a  dram 
more  to  ensure  Hke  results  in  the  other.  Hence  it  is  exceedingly  important 
that  gun  and  load  harmonize,  in  order  that  the  best  shooting  of  each  particu- 
lar gun  may  be  brought  out.  In  the  old  days,  when  this  matter  was  even 
thought  of  by  the  general  sportsman,  guns  were  condemned  as  being  useless 
as  shooting  weapons,  when,  had  the  knowledge  of  such  things  been  as  good  as 
it  is  to-day,  a  change  of  ammunition  in  its  quantity  might  have  made  the 
shooting  of  such  supposed  worthless  arm  satisfactory  in  all  respects. 

The  secret  of  loading  to  get  good  shooting   from   a   shot-cartridge,    is   a 


system  of  uniform  measurement  of  the  charges  of  powder  and  shot;  the  even 


74  AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 

distribution  of  these  charges  level  in  the  shell,  so  that  the  wads  may  lie  hori- 
zontally on  both  powder  and  shot,  and  in  placing  them  with  uniform  pressure 
each  time,  so  that  all  shells  will  be  loaded  precisely  alike.  These  results  are 
only  obtainable  by  the  use  of  proper  charging  and  loading  tools,  being  grad- 
uated by  actual  weight  of  whatever  powder  the  sportsman  desires  to  use.  The 
system  of  measuring  with  brass  plates  as  used  in  the  combination  chargers  is 
positive,  each  one  being  stamped  for  the  charge  for  which  it  is  to  be  used. 
There  is  not  the  slightest  danger  of  mistake  as  these  plates  are  specially  flat- 
tened and  rolled  to  a  uniform  thickness,  not  varying  one-thousandth  of  an  inch, 
so  that  all  the  plates  and  holes  are  exactly  alike.  With  these  outfits  25,  50  or 
100  shells  can  be  loaded  at  one  time,  and  will  not  show  any  variation  one  from 
another. 

One  of  the  requirements  of  a  good  cartridge  is  the  use  of  a  first-class 
wad  or  wadding,  particularly  over  the  powder;  and  to  protect  powder  from 
the  injurious  efifects  of  contact  with  a  chemically  prepared  or  greased  felt  it 
is  advisable  first  to  place  over  the  powder  a  cardboard  wad,  or  waterproof  wad 
if  preferred,  of  the  exact  size  of  the  internal  diameter  of  the  shell  and  over 
this  wad  one  or  more  felt  wads  one  size  larger  than  the  bore.  Good  results 
are  attainable  in  different  guns  with  several  methods  of  using  wadding,  and 
this  can  be  ascertained  by  experiment  some  preferring  to  use  one  cardboard 
and  two  felt  wads  over  powder,  and  others  one  felt  between  two  cardboard 
wads.  It  is  a  question,  however,  whether  the  cardboard  on  top  of  felt  wads 
is  of  any  benefit.  All  that  is  necessary  is  to  establish  a  complete  gas-check  by 
good  wadding  of  some  kind,  made  of  a  close,  firm  texture  that  will  not  per- 
mit gas  from  the  powder  charge  to  get  to  the  shot.  Over  the  shot  it  is  con- 
sidered better  to  use  a  material  that  will  easily  crumble  to  pieces.  To  hold 
this  top  wad  in  place,  the  shell  should  be  carefully  and  evenly  crimped  down 
on  the  wad. 

There  is  just  as  much  depending  upon  the  uniformity  and  perfection  of  the 


crimping  of  a  paper  shell  to  produce  accuracy  and  regularity  in  the  shooting  as 
there  is  ucon  anv  one  feature  in  making  perfect  ammunition.     To  perform  this 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 


75 


correctly  the  Ideal  Manufacturin'g  Company's  Star  Crimper,  shown  in  the  drawing, 
is  used.     It  works  positively  on  a  straight  line  and  permits  of  interchangeable 
heads,  followers  and  pins,  and  that  will  turn  both  the  square  and  round  crimp. 
Only  one  Star  frame  is  required  for  lo,  12,  14,  16  and  20  gauge  shells.    The  square 
crimp  is  preferred  by  users  of  single  and  double  barreled  shotguns,  as  that  form 
is  said  to  meet  the  expelling  force  of  the  powder  with  greater  resistance,  not 
straightening  out  as  easily  as  the  round  crimp.    The  users  of  the  repeating  shot- 
guns, however,  find  that  the  square  crimp  will  at  times  catch  on  entering  the  cham- 
I  ber,  when  being  inserted  by  the  mechanism,  therefore  the  round  crimp  is  required 
to  obviate  that  trouble.     Uniformity   is  the  one  thing   desirable   in  cartridges. 
I  Without  it  there  cannot  be  accuracy.    There  must  be  a  uniform  charge  of  powder 
'and  shot;  there  also  must  be  a  uniformity  of  wadding  and  ramming;  and  lastly, 
though  not  the  least,  there  must  be  uniformity  in  the  crimp  and  the  pressure 


brought  to  bear  upon  it      A  difference  in  conditions  must  naturally  bring  about  a 
difference  in  results.    Uniform  and  regular  shooting  cannot  be  insured  unless  there 
is  uniformity  and  regularity  in  loading  the  shells.     Many  have  an  idea  that  to  get 
i  strong  shooting  the  whole  charge  must  be  rammed  very  snugly,  and  the  powder, 
shot  and  wadding  forced  extra  solidly  and  crimped  as   snugly  as  it  is  possible 
to  force  the  loaded  shell  up  against  the  crimping  head,  the  shortness  of  the  lever 
ion  the  crimping  tool  only  preventing  the  cartridge  from  being  crushed. 
'     An  excellent  implement  for  loading  shotgun  shells  has  been  lately  invented. 
It  is  a  very  compact,  complete  and  perfect  working  combination  of  instruments, 
arranged  in  such  a  manner  that  each  part  can  be  operated  for  its  specific  work 
without  causing  any  inconvenience  from  the  others,  so  frequently  found  in  com- 
bination tools.     It  is  four  distinct  implernents  in  one,  viz. :  a  de-capper,  re-capper, 
rammer  and  shell  extractor,  so  arranged  as  not  to  be  any  larger  than  a  common 
rammer. 


76  AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 

The  Ideal  diamond  crimper,  the  successor  to  the  well-known  vSpangler  closer,  has 
frames,  cranks  and  levers  made  of  semi-steel  castings.  The  lever  is  furnished 
with  a  pivotal  crucible  steel  grip,  making  it  a  practical  straight  line  feed  for 
standard  length  of  shells.  The  improved  crimping-head  permits  the  use  of 
interchangeable  pins,  to  form  the  square  and  round  crimp.  Sportsmen  who 
use  a  single-shot  rifle  and  do  not  desire  to  crimp  their  shells,  but  seat  the  bul- 
lets in  the  barrel  in  advance  of  the  shell,  will  f  nd  the  Ideal  re-  and  de-capper  a 
most  handy  tool.  It  opens  on  the  side.  The  die  "A"  rests  upon  ri  perfectly 
machined  seat,  and  is  held  in  place  with  the  screw  "C."    The  de-capping  plug 


"B"  is  also  interchangeable,  being  securely  held  by  the  knurled  set  screw 
"C."  Re-capping  dies  and  de-capping  plugs  for  any  caliber  from  .22  to  .50  can 
be  furnished  to  fit  the  same  tool.  The  levers  are  poHshed  and  nickel-plated. 
The  implement  weights  complete  but  five  ounces.  The  Ideal  "straight-line"  re- 
and  de-capper  will  de-cap  and  re-cap  all  shot-gun  shells  with  a  central  fire  hole, 
brass  or  paper,  domestic  or  foreign  make,  whatever  the  inside  shape  may  be, 
high  or  low  base.  It  will  seat  any  and  all  sizes  and  shapes  of  primers,  straight 
in  the  pocket  of  the  shell,  positively  all  the  same  depth,  without  concaving  the 
head,  or  disturbing  the  fulminate,  which  causes  miss-fires. 

The  "Common  Sense"  re-  and  de-capper  made  by  the  Bridgeport  Gun 
Implement  Company  has  a  wide  reputation.  It  is  a  combination  10  and  \2 
gauge,  and  will  re-cap  and  de-cap  any  of  the  new  high  grade  paper  shells  of 
any  make.  After  inserting  the  bushing  for  12-gauge  shells,  bend  the  eni'.s 
slightly  to  prevent  coming  out  when  withdrawing  the  shell.  It  has  been  so 
constructed  that  the  needle  adjusts  itself  to  whatever  shell  the  sportsman 
may  desire  to  extract  the  primer  from.  If  the  needle  needs  to  be  long  for  one 
shell,  or  short  for  another,  this  length  is  regulated  automatically  without 
anv  adjustment  bv  the  user.  The  needle  being  protected  by  a  movable  sleew 
adapts  itself  to  the  desired  length  required  for  extracting  a  primer  the  mo- 
ment pressure  is  brought  upon  it.  ll  is  so  protected  by  this  movable  sleeve 
that  there  is  no  danger  of  breaking  the  needle,  as  would  be  the  case  on  any  ot 
the  old  style  de-cappers  should  one  attempt  to  take  ofT  a  primer  requiring  a 
short  needle  with  an  extracting  needle  that  was  too  long.    This  movable  slee\i 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS  77 

or  holder  is  supported  by  a  spiral  spring,  which  enables  it  to  adjust  itself  to  the 
different  lengths  of  shells  and  depth  of  primer  pockets  automatically. 


The  very   excellent   Remington   re-and  de-capper  is  strong,  simple  and  ef- 
fective.   It  is  made  for  lo,  12,  14  and  20   gauges.      The    Remington    reloading 


tools  (.45  Spanish,  .45-70  Marlin,  .45-70  and  .50-70  Government  complete) 
consist  of  bullet  mould,  ball  seater,  re-capper,  de-capper,  powder  measure  and 
wad  cutter. 

An  ingenious  tool  for  reloading  empty  cartridge  shells  has  been  recently 
■  patented  by  Walter  H.  Gripman,  of  Sioux  Falls,  South  Dakota.  By  means  of 
this  tool  the  old  primer  is  rapidly  expelled,  a  new  primer  accurately  inserted, 
the  shell  and  bullet  resized,  the  mouth  of  the  cartridge  expanded,  and  the 
bullet  securely  fastened  in  the  charged   shell.      An   excellent  brass   shot   shell 


78  AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 

loading  tool,  shown  in  the  drawing  is  made  for  loading  brass  shot  shells    Nos. 


lo  and  12  gauge.    It  is  made  entirely  of  iron,  nicely  polished  and  nickel  plated, 
and  will  last  a  life-time.     It  is  a  capper,  de-capper  and  rammer. 

Winchester  reloading  tools  are  made  in  two  styles — the  lever  tool  and 
the  Model  1894  tool.  The  lever  reloading  tool  removes  the  exploded  primer, 
straightens  the  shell  at  the  mouth,  inserts  the  new  primer,  and  fastens  the  ball 
in  the  shell.  The  Winchester  Model  1894  reloading  tool  was  devised  to  make 
the  reloading  and  resizing  of  large  sporting  ammunition  more  easy.  By  a 
strong  lever,  a  small  motion  (not  more  than  .03  of  an  inch)  is  imparted  to  the 
slide.  The  cartridge  is  contained  in  the  die.  The  die  screws  into  the  frame. 
The  shell,  with  its  charge  and  bullet,  is  put  together  by  hand  and  put  into  the 
die.  The  die  is  screwed  into  the  frame  as  far  as  it  will  go  readily.  A  motion 
of  the  lever  toward  the  die  will  force  the  cartridge  into  the  die  through  a 
short  distance.  The  backward  motion  of  the  lever  releases  the  pressure  on 
the  cartridge,  and  the  die  can  then  be  screwed  up  through  a  part  of  one  turn. 
The  repeated  motion  of  the  lever  and  the  continued  screwing  up  li  the  die 
bring  the  cartridge  its  full  length  into  the  die,  insert  the  bullet  to  the  right 
distance,  crimp  the  cartridge  around  the  bullet,  and  reduce  the  shell  to  its 
original  size,  so  that  it  will  go  freely  into  the  gun.  With  this  tool  it  will  be 
found  possible  to  easily  reload  the  largest  cartridges,  compressing  the  powder, 
putting  the  bullet  to  place,  and  reducing  the  shell  on  the  outside  to  its  original 
form.  By  the  reverse  motion — that  is,  by  lifting  the  handle  of  the  lever  away  from 
the  die — the  slide  is  lifted,  and  the  cartridge,  by  means  of  the  extractor,  is 
drawn  a  slight  distance  out  of  the  die.  When  the  handle  is  returned  to  the 
die,  the  latter  can  be  unscrewed  a  corresponding  distance.  Another  motion 
of  the  lever  draws  the  cartridge  still  further  out  of  the  die,  and  with  a  few 
motions  it  becomes  so  loosened  in  the  die  that  the  latter  may  be  easily  un- 
screwed. As  soon  as  the  cartridge  isloosened  in  the  die,  the  extractor  loses 
its  grip,  and  the  die  and  cartridge  are  taken  from  the  frame  together.  Tliis 
tool  permits,  with  the  use  of  little  force,  the  most  exact  reloading,  including 
the  resizing  of  the  shell. 

Extensive  experiment  has  shown  that  the  best  possible  results  arc  ob- 
tained with  rifle,  powder  and  bullet  when  the  bullet  is  seated  into  the  barrel 
about  1-32  (A  an  inch  ahead  of  the  shell.     The  bullet  is  thus     well  in  the  rifling 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS  79 

before  the  explosion  takes  place,  obviating  any  possible  chance  of  its  being- 
started  in  a  tipping  or  crosswise  manner.  The  shell  is  then  filled  with  powder 
(a  wad  on  top  or  not  as  desired),  and  inserted  in  the  chamber  after  the  bul- 
let. The  Ideal  bullet  seater  has  an  adjustable  plunger  that  can  be  set  with  a 
check  nut  to  seat  the  ball  any  depth  desired,  and  they  will  be  absolutely  the 
same  depth,  which  must  be,  to  insure  uniform  shooting.  The  implement 
weighs  but  four  ounces,  and  is  made  for  all  calibers  from  .22  up.  It  is  sup- 
posed by  some  that  the  chamber  of  a  reloading  tool  should  be  shaped  so  as 
to  re-form  a  shell  that  is  swollen  or  expanded,  and  at  the  same  time  force  the 
bullet  in,  pack  the  powder  and  crimp  the  shell.  This  process  is  impracticable 
for  several  reasons.  First — The  shells  are  made  of  elastic  metal,  and  must  be 
compressed  beyond  the  desired  size,  so  as  to  allow  for  the  springing  back  of 
the  metal.  To  do  this  requires  more  power  than  is  consistent  with  the  con- 
struction of  a  practical,  portable  hand  tool.  Second.— As  the  shell  is  primed 
and  the  powder  is  in,  there  Js  more  or  less  danger  attending  this  operation. 
Third. — The  bullet  is  composed  of  non-elastic  metal,  and  as  the  shell  is  being 
compressed  with  the  bullet  in,  it,  of  course,  compresses  the  bullet  which  be- 
ing non-elastic,  remains  to  the  size  comprssed,  and  the  accurate  diameter  of 
the  bullet  is  lost,  and  it  would  be  loose  in  the  shell  were  it  not  for  the  crimping 
of  the  shell  into  it,  and  the  powder  pressing   the   bullet   up   against   the   crimp. 

:  Experience  has  proven  that  the  shell,  if  expanded,  should  be  reformed  while 
empty,  and  in  a  separate  tool.  Fortunately  the  majority  of  shells  do  not  ex- 
pand so  as  to  interfere,  and  loading  tools  as  constructed  are  all  that  is  required. 
The  popular  reloading  tool.  No.  4,  made  by  the  Ideal  Manufacturing  Co., 

,  and  shown  in  the   drawing,   is  complete  in  itself.    It  has  no  extra  pieces  to  get 


A— Opening  Month  of  Shell.    B— Bullet  Mould. 

C— Ke-Capping.    D— Loading  Chamber.   E— Bullet  Sizer. 

'lost  or  carry,  it  performs  all  the  operations  required,  as  constructed,  it  moulds 

■the  bullet   a   trifle   above   the   standard  size,   which   after  they  are   lubricated, 

can  be  forced  through  the  sizing  die,  which    packs    the    grease    firmly    in    the 

[grooves,  removes  the  surplus  and  makes    the    bullet    perfectly    round    and    of 

I 

[the  correct  diameter. 

The   Ideal  bullet  sizing  tool  is  largely   used  by  those  who  have  arms  of 


80  AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 

different  calibers,  or  those  who  may  desire  bullets  of  a  special  diameter.  It 
is  made  so  that  dies  of  any  caliber  can  be  used  in  it.  The  die  swings  upon 
centers,  which  are  located  near  the  top  of  the  die,  the  presser  punch  is  also 
swung  upon  a  pivot,  which,  while  forcing  the  bullet  through  the  die  will  keep 
it  in  perfect  alignment  with  the  pressure.  This  construction  also  permits  the 
placing  of  the  die  near  the  joint,  thereby  giving  the  required  power  with 
shorter  levers,  which  makes  the  tool  a  handy  and  convenient  length.  The  tool 
is  the  same  for  all  calibers.  The  die  only  being  made  for  the  caliber  desired, 
thev  will  be  interchangeable,  and  for  all  standard  sizes,  from  .22  to  .50  caliber. 
The  best  and  perfection  in  powder  measures  has  been  recently  patented 
by  the  Ideal  Manufacturing  Company.  These  measures  will  handle  all  kinds 
of  powders  for  rifles,  pistols  or  shot-guns — black,  nitro  or  smokeless,  fine  or 
coarse,  whether  the  granulations  be  angular,  round,  cylindrical,  flat  or  leaf- 
let, measuring  all  from  the  smallest  to  the  largest  charges  required,  from 
one  grain  up.  The  small  measure  will  accurately  measure  from  i  to  35  grains, 
which  is  its  fullest  capacity.  The  graduations  for  this  measure  will  be  found 
on  a  slide,  and  are  for  one  grain  each.  When  set  at  the  desired  mark,  it  is  to 
be  fastened  with  a  set-screw.  The  large  measure  will  measure  powder  accu- 
rately from  30  to  140  grains.  The  graduations  on  this  measure  are  on  a 
round  sliding  plug,  on  the  opposite  side  from  the  slide.  There  are  two  sets  of 
graduations  for  this  measure,  one  for  grains,  the  other  for  the  old  drachm 
measurement;  the  grain  divisions  are  for  five  grains  each  from  T)^  to  140 
grains.  The  drachm  divisions  are  for  1-4  drachm  each,  from  1-2  to  5 
drachms.  When  set  at  the  desired  mark,  the  plug  may  be  fastened  with  a 
set-screw.  When  using  the  measure  for  small  charges  be  sure  and  positively 
close  the  large  measure  and  securely  fasten  it  in  that  position  with  the  screw. 
Operate  the  slide  only,  for  all  measurements  from  i  to  35  grains.  Fasten 
where  desired  with  the  screw.  When  large  charges  above  30  grains  are  desired. 
first  close  both  measures,  see  that  dirt  or  a  grain  of  powder  does  not  prevent 
their  being  entirely  closed;  then  be  sure  and  fasten  the  slide  in  that  position 
at  the  zero  mark  and  use  the  round  plug  together  with  the  sHde  as  one,  set- 
ting at  the  graduations  on  the  plug,  and  fasten  where  desired  with  the  screw. 
The  extreme  end  of  the  brass  tube  is  the  indicator  for  the  graduations  for  both 
measures. 

The  improved  loading  machine  patented  by  the  Ideal  Manufacturing  Company 
is  shown  in  the  drawing.  In  this  machine  variation  is  entirely  done  away  with  by 
simply  moving  the  measure,  after  it  is  accurately  and  uniformly  filled,  to  the  cut- 
off stop,  thus  cutting  oflf  all  communication  between  the  measure  and  the  powder  in 
the  reservoir,  before  the  wadding  takes  place;  so  that  all  the  jarring  and  shaking 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS  81 

of  the  machine  for  whatever  purpose,  does  not  change  the  charge  of  powder  one 
atom.  In  this  machine  there  are  double  graduations  on  the  powder  measures — on.- 
graduation  being  for  drams  and  fractions  thereof,  from  one-half  dram  to  five 
drams,  in  graduations  of  quarter  drams,  this  being  the  old  method  for  measurino- 
powder  for  shotguns.  The  other  graduation  is  for  grains,  measuring  from  ten  to 
one  hundred  and  forty  grains  in  graduation  of  five  grains,  this  for  measuring 
powder  for  rifles  and  pistols.  These  two  graduations  in  connection  with  a  table 
newly  compiled  comparing  black  with  the  various  nitro  and  smokeless  powders, 
will  enable  the  user  to  measure  accurately  any  of  the  various  powders  now  on  the 


market,  for  either  rifles,  pistols,  or  shotguns.  Attention  is  called  to  the  turned 
nozzle  at  the  apex  of  the  hopper  where  it  connects  with  the  rammer  slide.  This 
feature  will  be  appreciated  by  all  who  desire  to  charge  rifle  and  pistol  shells  as 
well  as  to  load  shotgun  ammunition.  It  is  a  new  and  distinct  feature  not  found 
in  any  other  machine.  The  head  or  hopper  and  reservoirs  that  hold  the  powder 
and  shot  may  be  disconnected  from  the  lower  part  of  the  machine  as  shown  in 
the  illustration.  The  head  is  made  to  turn  on  a  swivel  and  may  be  fastened  with 
a  thumbscrew  at  the  rear  side  at  any  convenient  angle  that  is  handy  for  filling  the 
small  metallic  shells.  "R"  is  an  extra  funnel  or  powder  conductor  that  fits  on 
the  turned  nozzle.  The  funnel  has  an  inverted  cone-shaped  mouth  for  receiving 
the  shell  as  shown  at  "S."     Another  valuable  feature  is  that  the  powder  and 


82 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 


shot  are  deposited  into  the  shell  in  a  direct  straight  line  through  the  center  of  the 
wad  plunger,  instead  of  passing  through  a  side  opening  in  the  shell  receiver,  as 
is  done  in  some  other  machines.  The  powder  and  shot  are  thus  deposited  evenly, 
not  packed  high  on  one  side  of  the  shell  and  low  on  the  other,  leaving  an  uneven 
surface  for  the  wads  to  rest  upon,  neither  are  the  wads  forced  past  a  slot  in  the 
shell  receiver,  which  tends  to  tip  them  and  squeeze  them  out  of  round.  The 
proper  wadding  of  shells  is  as  essential  to  accurate  shooting  as  is  the  accurate 
measuring  of  the  powder. 

CARTRIDGE  BELTS. 

Numerous  belts  and  devices  for  the  safe  and  convenient  carriage  of  car- 
tridges have  been  invented.  The  Pooler-Jones  belt  has  cartridge  liolders  at- 
tached to  it,  suitable  for  either  paper  or  brass  shells.  These  holders  can  be 
easily  attached  to  any  hunting  vest,  coat  front,  or  belt.  An  ordinary  vest  will 
hold  from  36  to  50,  each  holder  weighing  about  one-third  of  an  ounce.  The 
belt  can  be  perfectly  adjusted  by  wearer  to  fit  either  a  slim  or  large  man,  with 
waist  measuring  from  thirty  inches  to  forty-one  inches.  It  can  be  worn  over 
or  under  a  coat,  and  it  is  impossible  to  lose  the  cartridges.  The  belt  is  intended 
to  be  worn  or  put  on  with  the  buckle  behind.  The  cartridges  are  nearly  all  to 
the  front  and  can  be  easily  reached. 

The  Mills  cartridge  belt  was  invented  in  1866  by  Captain  (now  Brigadier-Gen- 
eral) Anson  Mills,  of  the  U.  S.  Army.  His  purpose  was  to  provide  an  acceptable 
substitute  for  the  clumsy  box  then  used  for  carrying  fixed  ammunition.  He  first 
made  belts  of  canvas,  forming  loops  by  sewing  additional  strips  to  the  body  of  the 
belt.    It  was  difficult,  however,  to  make  these  loops  uniform  in  size,  or  cylindrical, 


Orndorff  Belt. 

and  after  many  experiments  the  inventor  perfected  a  method  of  weaving  the  belt 
and  loops  in  a  homogeneous  fabric  of  cotton.  The  loops  thus  formed  are  cylindrical, 
aiTording  perfect  friction  at  all  points  on  the  circumference  of  the  shell,  and  they 
are  also  uniform  in  size  and  equidistant  from  each  other,  giving  the  belt  a  neat 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 


83 


and  attractive  appearance.     The  belt  thus  formed  is  exceedingly  durable,  and,  by 
reason  of  its  flexibility,  more  comfortable  to  wear  than  any  other  belt.     Not  only 
in  the  Army,  but  among  sportsmen  and  all  others  who  have  occasion  to  carry  fixed 
ammunition,  the  belt  became  widely  popular  as  soon  as  it  was  introduced 
The  adoption  of  the  belt  by  the  United  States  Armv,  Navy,  and  Marine  Corps, 


m 


y 


Clip  Bandoleer. 

as  well  as  by  the  National  Guard  of  the  several  States,  and  by  many  Foreign  Gov- 
ernments, followed  its  introduction  in  due  course.  For  many  years  the  manufac- 
ture of  the  Mills  belts  was  conducted  by  Thomas  C.  Orndorff,  who  invented  the 
method  of  weaving  one  loop  above  another  so  as  to  produce  what  is  generally 


known  as  the  Orndorff,  or  double-loop  belt.  This  belt  is  now  used  exclusively  by 
the  United  States  Army  and  the  Army  of  Great  Britain.  It  is  essentially  a  military 
belt,  for  use  where  it  is  desired  to  carry  a  maximum  of  ammunition.  For  sporting 
purposes  the  single-loop  Mills  belt  meets  every  need.  The  belts  vary  in  depth  from 
3  mches  to  2}A  inches,  with  loops  from  2H  inches  to  ^  inch. 

In  wearing  this  belt,  care  should  be  taken  to  have  the  cartridges  well  set  down 


84  AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 

in  the  loops.  The  belt  should  never  be  thrown  about  upside  down,  but  always  worn 
with  the  larger  mouth  of  the  loop  upwards,  and  the  cartridges  extracted  as  is 
illustrated  in  the  drawing.  The  wearer  should  start  the  cartridges  from  the  bot- 
tom with  his  second,  third  and  fourth  fingers,  and  withdraw  them  by  their  heads 
from  the  top  with  the  thumb  and  forefinger.  If  care  is  taken  to  conform  to  these 
instructions,  there  is  no  reasonable  possibility  of  loss  of  cartridges,  but,  of  course, 
if  the  belt  is  worn  upside  down  or  thrown  about  carelessly  the  cartridges  will  fall 
out,  just  as  the  contents  of  a  soldier's  pocket  would  escape  if  he  hung  his  trousers 
up  by  their  legs. 

MARKSMANSHIP. 

To  become  skilled  in  marksmanship,  one  must  possess  a  thorougfi 
knowledge  of  the  rifle,  the  principles  of  its  construction,  its  capabilities,  and 
the  care  required  to  preserve  it  always  in  a  condition  of  greatest  efficiency,  the 
laws  governing  the  flight  of  the  bullet,  and  the  causes  which  tend  to  impress 
upon  its  motion  certain  irregularities;  an  understanding  of  the  best  positions 
for  firing;  a  readiness  for  estimating  distances;  and  the  experience  required  to 
make  allowance  for  the  force  of  the  wind,  or  the  motion  of  the  object  aimed  at. 
The  acquirement  of  the  requisite  skill  to  fire  accurately  is  one  of  the  most  im- 
portant duties  of  the  sportsman;  not  only  his  own  safety  but  that  of  his  com- 
panions may  often  depend  upon  his  ability  to  deliver  his  fire  with  effect,  and 
the  greatest  proficiency  in  the  manual  of  arms  cannot  atone  for  a  want  of 
dexterity  in  this  particular.  Any  man  having  perfect  vision  can,  through  per- 
severance, become  a  fair  marksman.  Long  practice  with  cartridges  is  not  nec- 
essary; but  a  strict  compliance  with  the  rules  for  pointing  and  aiming,  and  a 
careful  study  of  the  causes  modifying  the  accuracy  of  fire,  will  be  sure  to  lead 
to  more  than  average  skill  in  firing. 

When  firing  in  vacuo,  the  trajectory  is  easily  traced  and  its  properties  sim- 
ply discussed.  Considering  its  position  with  reference  to  the  line  of  sight 
it  will  be  seen  that  near  the  muzzle  it  is  below  the  line  of  sight  for  some  dis- 
tance, then  it  cuts  it;  beyond  this  point  it  rises  above  the  line  of  sight  for 
some  distance,  then  falls  and  cuts  it  again.  This  second  point  of  intersection 
is  the  point  blank  and  determines  the  point  blank  range.  With  a  good  rifle, 
up  to  175  or  even  200  yards,  the  line  of  fire  will  not  cut  the  line  of  sight;  or, 
in  other  words,  it  will  not  shoot  high. 

The  progressive  velocity  of  fall  of  the  bullet  being  so  much  less  than  its 
initial  velocity,  the  air  resistance  opposed  to  its  descent  will  be  inappreciably 
small  in  comparison  with  that  in  the  direction  of  its  motion  of  translation 
(the  resistances  being  proportional  to  the  squares  of  the  velocities).     Hence, 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS  85 

when  the  bullet  would  have  been  at  certain  points,  in  vacuo,  it  will  in  reality 
be  at  points  below  and  in  rear  of  them,  by  distances  increasing  from  the 
point  of  departure  (since  the  resistance  of  air  causes  the  spaces  passed  over 
in  equal  times  to  become  progressively  smaller  and  smaller),  thus  causing  the 
trajectory  in  air  to  be  constantly  below  and  in  rear  of  its  place  in  vacuo  and 
changing  its  curvature,  so  that  the  left  branch  presents  a  flattened  form  while 
the  right  branch  approaches  the  vertical.  From  thus  destroying  the  symme- 
try of  this  curve,  there  results  that  the  angle  of  fall  is  greater  than  the  angle 
of  ascent,  and  more  considerably  so  as  it  is  distant  from  the  origin,  that  the 
point  of  culmination  is  lowered,  and  that  the  range  is  greatly  diminished. 
In  practice  the  object  aimed  at  has  a  certain  height;  hence,  it  will  not  only 
be  struck  when  at  point  blank,  but  also  when  at  points  in  rear  or  in  front  of 
the  point  blank  where  the  vertical  distances  of  the  trajectory  from  such 
points  shall  be  equal  to  or  less  than  the  height  of  the  object.  This  distance 
between  these  two  points,  known  as  the  dangerous  space,  is  greater  as  the 
trajectory  is  flattened  or  as  the  height  of  the  object  is  greater.  An  object  may 
also  be  struck  when  in  rear  of  the  point  blank.  The  sum  of  the  distances  in 
front  and  rear  of  the  point  blank,  at  which  the  object  could  be  struck  at  its 
bottom  and  top,  is  the  dangerous  space.  This  permits  us  to  make  slight  er- 
rors in  estimating  distances;  we  can  either  over  or  underestimate  them  so 
long  as  the  errors  do  not  exceed  the  hmits  of  the  dangerous  space.  In  hunt- 
ing, or  when  firing  at  an  enemy  over  an  unknown  distance,  the  importance 
of  a  flat  trajectory  is  evident — but  it  is  still  important  even  where  the  dis- 
tance is  definitely  known.  When  firing  at  long  range  a  delicate  estimation  of 
distance  is  necessary  to  obtain  accuracy  of  fire,  even  when  using  the  best  and 
most  accurately  graduated  sights.  Any  ordinary  man  can  be  drilled  to  esti- 
mate distances  up  to  600  yards  with  great  accuracy  and  dispatch.  Distances 
may  be  appreciated  by  the  eye  alone  or  by  the  aid  of  instruments.  The  lat- 
ter method  is  of  no  practical  value  in  the  field  before  an  enemy,  and  should 
only  be  employed  on  the  drill  ground  as  an  aid.  The  writer's  stadiometer 
the  principle  of  which  is  based  on  the  proportionality  of  the  corresponding 
sides  of  similar  triangles  and  an  application  of  the  plummets,  does  good 
work  on  an  undulating  and  broken  drill  ground,  where  actual  chain  measure- 
ment would  be  impracticable  if  not  impossible.  Prolonged  practice  and  ex- 
perience in  the  appreciation  of  distances  are  necessary  to  give  the  coup  d'oeil 
that  insures  sufficient  accuracy.  The  practice  'should  be  conducted  over 
smooth,  broken  and  undulating  ground,  and  frequently  from  elevated  points. 
The  distances  should  also  be  estimated  in  all  directions  as  regards  light  and 
the  condition  of  the  atmosphere. 


86  AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 

The  following  are  the  important  causes  which  vary  the  direction  and  in- 
tensity of  the  forces  acting  on  the  bullet,  and  which  may  be  greatly  obviated 
by  carefulness  and  an  understanding  of  the  subject: 

1.  A  frequent  cause  of  inaccuracy  of  fire  is  a  false  or  defective  barrel,  short 
swells  and  long  depressions  being  often  found  on  its  interior.  These  swells 
or  ridges,  by  increasing  the  friction,  may  so  effect  the  recoil  as  to  have  an 
injurious  efifcct  on  the  fire,  or  so  affect  the  exterior  form  of  the  bullet  as  to 
produce  an  irregularity  in  its  motion.  The  depressions  or  swells  change  the 
interior  lines  of  the  piece  and  give  the  bullet  a  false  direction. 

2.  Another  cause  of  inaccuracy  of  fire  is  the  vibration  of  the  barrel  when 
firing,  caused  by  the  want  of  a  homogeneous  distribution  of  metal  about  its 
axis,  and  often  to  binding  bands.  These  vibrations  tend  to  alter  the  direction 
of  the  bullet  as  it  leaves  the  muzzle. 

3.  Recoil  causes  the  man  to  turn  to  the  side  from  which  he  fires,  and  pro- 
duces deviation  in  that  direction.  It  is  supported  by  pressing  the  butt  firmly 
against  the  shoulder  with  the  right  hand,  the  left  hand  supporting  the  weight 
of  the  rifle,  and  varies  with  the  position  of  the  rifle  relative  to  the  horizontal, 
being  a  maximum  when  the  shot  is  fired  vertically  upward.  The  shock  of 
the  recoil  against  the  shoulder  is  diminished  by  the  bend  in  the  stock,  serving 
to  decompose  the  force  into  two  components,  one  acting  through  the  stock 
against  the  shoulder  the  other  in  the  direction  of  the  axis  of  the  barrel,  tend- 
ing to  raise  it.     Whatever  lessens  the  recoil  theoretically  increases  the  range. 

4.  When  the  bullet  reaches  the  muzzle  of  the  rifle,  it  will  revolve  about  its 
axis  nearly  800  times  in  a  second,  and  a  point  on  its  exterior  side  surface  will 
have  an  axial  velocity  of  about  ninety  feet  per  second.  This  in  connection 
with  the  resistance  of  the  air  produces  a  lateral  drifting  of  the  bullet  in  the 
direction  in  which  the  grooves  have  a  turn.  This  is  known  as  drift,  and  is 
greater  in  the  descending  than  in  the  ascending  branch  of  the  trajectory.  It 
increases  as  the  diameter  of  the  bullet,  the  angle  of  fire,  the  velocity  of  rotation 
and  the  range  increase,  and  as  the  velocity  of  translation  decreases.  The 
drift  in  the  Springfield  rifle  (caliber  45,  seventy  grains  powder)  at  500  yards 
is  two  feet. 

5.  The  pull  of  the  trigger  should  not  be  too  great,  a  three-pound  pull  be- 
ing the  minimum.  It  should  be  pressed  by  a  steadily  increasing  pressure  of 
the  finger  in  the  direction  of  the  axis  of  the  barrel,  without  communicating 
motion  to  the  rifle,  the  breath  being  held  until  the  hammer  falls.  If  the 
trigger  is  too  hard  and  is  pulled  convulsively,  the  muzzle  will  be  turned  to 
the  right.  There  should  be  a  quick  and  decided  connection  between  the 
mind  and  finger.     Few  men   can  pull   off  the  trigger  of  our  average   service 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS  87 

rifle  with  the  first  joint  of  a  single  finger.  1  have  frequently  supported  the 
whole  weight  of  the  rifle,  at  full  cock,  on  the  trigger,  without  pulling  it  off. 
and  I  consider  this  a  very  serious  defect.  Every  man  should  invariably  fire 
his  own  and  the  same  gun,  in  order  to  become  acquainted  with  its  defects  of 
construction,  and  learn  how  to  make  allowances  for  consequent  deviations 
from  the  theoretical  trajectory. 

6.  The  principal  cause  of  the  inaccuracy  of  most  rifles  is  that  they  are 
sighted  too  coarsely.  Without  apparent  movement,  the  rifle  may  be  sighted 
on  any  object  within  a  horizontal  radius  of  many  feet.  I  think  it  best  to  re- 
place the  ordinary  bead  sight  by  the  Beach  Combination  Sight,  which  is 
such  that  it  forms  either  an  open  bead  or  a  globe  sight  with  cover,  according 
as  the  leaf  is  turned  up  or  down,  thus  adapting  it  either  to  hunting  or  target 
use  (and  if  I  mistake  not  our  frontier  field  service  is  more  on  the  order  of 
hunting  than  range  practice).  The  globe  of  this  sight  is  so  constructed  as 
to  permit  the  use  of  all  descriptions  of  sights,  detachable  pieces  of  the  vari- 
ous forms  in  use  being  slipped  into  a  slot  in  the  globe  and  held  by  a  screw. 

The  Lyman  sight  is  a  most  excellent  one  when  the  target  is  a  moving 
object.  When  aiming,  it  has  the  appearance  of  a  ring  or  hoop  which  shows 
the  front  sight  and  the  object  aimed  at,  without  intercepting  any  part  of  the 
view.  Its  rim  may  be  instantly  changed  to  give  it  a  large  aperture  with  a 
narrow  rim,  or  a  small  aperture  with  a  wider  rim.  For  all  quick  shooting  the 
large  aperture  should  be  used.  It  possesses  the  following  advantages:  it 
allows  an  instantaneous  aim  to  be  taken — the  object  being  sighted  as  quickly 
as  if  only  the  front  sight  were  used;  it  readily  permits  one  to  shoot  moving 
objects,  running  or  flying,  with  both  the  eyes  in  use;  it  is  also  very  accurate; 
Bimple  and  strong.  Any  kind  of  front  sight  may  be  used  with  it,  and  it  may 
be  put  on  any  rifle  in  the  same  way  that  a  peep  sight  is  attached  and  adjusted 
ior  shooting  any  distance  up  to  i,ooo  yards. 

7.  It  will  be  readily  seen  that  a  defective  position  of  the  line  of  sight  will 
cause  an  inaccuracy  of  fire,  and  this  may  be  occasioned  by  a  false  position  be- 

1    ing  given  to  either  the  front  or  rear  sight.     If  the  front  sight  be  to  the  right 
I    of  its  proper  place,  the  bullet  will  go  to  the  left  and  vice  versa.     The  bullet 
will  also  be  raised  (range  increased),  since  the  top  of  the  sight  is  lower  than 
;    it  is  when  in  its  proper  position.     If  the  rear  sight  be  to  the  right  or  left  of  its 
1    true  place,  the  bullet  will  go  to  the  right  or  left,  and  will  be  lowered  (range 
diminished),  since  the  top  of  the  sight  will  be  lower  than  when  in  its  true  posi- 
tion. 

1       8.     A  very  frequent  cause  of  inaccuracy  of  fire  is  the  incorrect  graduation 
I  of  the  rear  sight.     Of  course,     if    the     elevations     corresponding    to     certain 


88  AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 

ranges  are  not  accurately  marked,  the  fire  will  be  wild.  In  determining  the 
graduation  for  any  particular  rifle,  avoid  all  proportions  and  make  a  series  ol 
experiments  with  the  greatest  care.  With  a  properly  made  arm  and  cartridge, 
and  the  elevating  sight  accurately  graduated,  any  one  can,  by  care  and  prac- 
tice, become  a  good  marksman. 

9.  A  serious  cause  of  inaccuracy,  originating  with  the  firer,  is  the  faulty 
position  that  he  gives  to  the  musket  in  firing,  by  inclining  to  the  right  or  left, 
which  tends  to  carry  the  bullet  to  the  side  to  which  the  rifle  is  inchned,  and 
to  diminish  the  range.  When  firing  at  long  ranges  a  trifling  incUnation  to 
the  right  or  left  will  throw  the  bullet  very  wide  of  the  target, 

10.  To  prevent  inaccuracies  while  aiming,  in  addition  to  keeping  the  sight 
vertical,  the  firer  should  observe  the  following:  The  eye  should  glance  from 
the  sights  to  the  target,  being  constantly  on  the  target.  If  the  particular  rifle 
carries  higher  or  lower  than  the  average,  it  must  be  remedied  by  aiming  with 
a  fine  or  a  coarse  sight.  In  aiming  raise  the  rifle.  Upward  motion  acts 
against  gravity,  and  has  a  tendency  to  prevent  any  lateral  motion  of  the  niuz- 
zle.  Hold  the  butt  firmly  against  the  shoulder,  and  do  not  turn  the  head 
away  at  the  instant  of  pulling  the  trigger.     Fire  low  rather  than  too  high. 

11.  After  firing  a  few  shots  on  a  dry,  hot  day,  the  bullets  gradually  fall 
lower  and  lower,  in  consequence  of  the  fouling  of  the  barrel.  The  barrel 
should  be  kept  clean  and,  as  far  as  possible,  not  over-heated. 

12.  The  condition  of  the  atmosphere  noticeably  affects  the  course  of  the 
bullet.  The  more  moisture  there  is  in  the  air,  the  less  elevation  required.  The 
bullet  is  frequently  noticed  to  fall  immediately  after  a  rain.  Warm  air  offers 
less  resistance  to  the  bullet  than  does  cold  air.  A  fall  of  20  degrees  in  tem- 
perature will  cause  the  bullet  to  lower  ten  to  eleven  inches  at  300  yards  range. 
In  firing  over  water  the  elevation  must  be  increased,  in  consequence  of  the 
lower  temperature  of  the  air  over  the  water.  In  ascending  the  mountain  the 
air  becomes  more  and  more  rare,  and  consequently  the  resistance  to  the  bullet 
is  less  on  the  mountain  than  at  its  base.  Mirage,  an  optical  illusion  occurring 
in  level  districts  on  very  warm  days,  causes  the  target  to  apparently  rise  in 
the  air  and  become  distorted  in  shape.  This  materially  afYects  such  objects 
as  are  near  the  ground,  and  engenders  a  tendency  to  shoot  too  high. 

13.  The  influence  of  light  and  shade  on  the  firing  is  very  remarkable.  On 
a  bright  day  the  target  is  refracted  so  as  to  apparently  stand  higher,  which 
would  theoretically  require  a  lower  elevation  than  on  a  very  dull  day.  When 
the  light  shines  directly  on  the  target,  when  the  target  is  against  a  light  back- 
ground (so  that  the  details  are  better  brought  out),  when  the  sun  shines  on 
the  fircr's  back,  when  the  atmosphere  is  clear,  when  the  ground  is  level  and 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS  89 

uniform  in  appearance  or  when  it  gradually  rises  toward  the  target,  the  same 
will  appear  much  nearer,  and  will  theoretically  require  a  higher  elevation. 
The  best  shooting  is  invariably  done  on  cloudy  days  when  the  sun's  light  is 
evenly  diffused.  It  as  very  difficult  to  shoot  well  when  passing  clouds  inter- 
cept portions  of  the  sun's  light  and  heat.  It  is  readily  seen  how  this  listurb- 
ance  might  set  up  currents  in  the  air  which  would  tend  to  carry  the  bullet 
from  its  course,  and  how  the  rays  of  light  deflected  from  their  course  before 
reaching  the  eye  would  cause  the  target  to  apparently  occupy  a  false  position. 
It  will  be  well  to  diminish  the  elevation  should  the  sun  suddenly  appear  i<nd 
light  up  the  target  while  the  firer  still  remains  in  the  shade,  and  to  Increase 
it  should  the  target  remain  in  the  shade  while  the  sun  shines  on  the  firer. 

14.  Bright  sights  and  barrels  are  obviously  objectionable.  The  reflection 
of  the  sun's  light  on  the  sights  causes  them  to  appear  as  brilliant  points  and 
precludes  the  possibility  of  an  accurate  aim.  If  the  sun's  rays  come  laterally, 
the  trouble  will  be  yet  greater,  inasmuch  as  they  will  brighten  the  rear  side  of 
the  front  sight  and  the  opposite  side  of  the  rear  sight  notch,  and  cause  a 
tendency  to  shoot  away  from  the  sun.  The  refraction  of  the  sun's  rays  from 
the  poHshed  barrel  causes  the  target  to  become  indistinct  and  to  assume  the 
appearance  of  motion.  The  sights  and  barrel  about  the  muzzle  should  be 
blackened  with  smoke  if  nothing  better  is  at  hand. 

15.  The  effect  of  the  wind  upon  the  trajectory  and  the  allowance  to  be 
made  therefor  are  most  troublesome  questions  for  the  marksman.  Inasmuch 
as  the  wind  is  continually  changing  in  intensity  and  direction,  it  is  almost  im- 
possible to  make  tables  of  allowances  for  it.  The  best  skill  and  judgment  of 
the  marksman  are  brought  into  play  when  firing  in  mountain  districts,  where 
there  are  many  cross-currents  with  which  to  contend.  All  winds,  except  to- 
ward the  target,  retard  the  bullet  and  render  a  higher  elevation  necessary. 
A  wind  from  the  rear  helps  the  bullet  and  tends  to  high  shooting.  Experience 
has  shown  it  necessary  to  alter  the  wind-guage  twelve  or  more  feet  between 
two  consecutive  shots  over  a  range  of  1,000  yards,  in  order  to  make  a  bull's- 
eye  each  time  when  the  wind  was  too  high  or  variable.  The  inclination  is 
generally  to  under-estimate  for  wind  allowance,  nearly  every  one  disliking 
to  aim  far  away  from  the  target. 

I  believe  that  any  one  with  a  good  mind  and  clear  sight,  possessing  nerve, 
coolness,  and  a  quick  connection  between  will  and  finger,  can,  by  practice 
and  endeavors  to  correct  the  inaccuracies  pointed  out,  do  good  shooting. 
The  men  in  our  service  are  anxious  to  learn  how  to  shoot  well,  and  in  the 
majority  of  cases  are  very  apt  scholars.  It  is  only  necessary  that  the  officers 
teach  them  the  practical  correction   of  errors,  which  they  are  to  investigate 


90  AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 

theoretically.  In  Busk's  "Hand-book  for  Hythe"  it  is  stated  that  "one  hour 
a  day  of  private  practice  in  aiming  drill  will,  in  a  few  weeks,  make  a  man  a 
first-class  shot."  I  believe  this,  for  the  position  and  the  aiming  drills  consti- 
tute the  very  foundation  of  any  system  of  practice.  It  is  an  absurd  mistake 
in  our  service  to  have  recruits  fire  ofT-hand  at  a  target  one  hundred  yards 
distant  when  they  scarcely  know  the  difference  between  a  rifle  and  a  shotgun, 
and  cannot  hit  a  barn-door  thirty  paces  distant  with  either. 

Having  thoroughly  mastered  the  principles  of  aiming,  experience  only  can 
teach  the  best  positions  under  various  conditions  and  circumstances.  The  regu- 
latioji  position,  "firing  standing,"  is  generally  preferred.  Many  find  "an  easier 
and  firmer  position  by  bringing  the  left  shoulder  well  to  the  front,  and  resting 
the  rifle  over  the  lower  part  of  the  left  thumb.  The  advantage  of  this  posi- 
tion is  that  it  brings  the  left  elbow  directly  under  the  barrel  without  any 
strain  on  the  muscles.  Its  disadvantage  is  that,  in  a  side  wind,  the  body  is  apt 
to  sway  sideways,  which  must  be  avoided  by  placing  the  feet  further  apart.  The 
Hythe  School  directs  that  the  rifle  be  pressed  against  the  shoulder  with  the 
left  hand,  the  right  holding  the  stock  lightly;  but  most  marksmen  prefer' 
while  grasping  the  barrel  firmly  with  the  left  hand,  so  as  to  keep  it  steady,  toi 
hold  it  well  against  the  shoulder  with  the  right.  In  all  cases,  it  will  be  found  I 
that  the  pull-off  of  the  trigger  will  be  lightened  by  a  firm  grip  with  the^ 
right  thumb.  The  standing  position  depends  so  much  on  the  personal  equation 
of  the  marksman  as  to  prevent  that  extreme  nicety  of  aim  required  in  long- 
range  firing.  It  also  renders  the  rifleman  liable  to  be  swerved  by  the  wind,  and 
oflfers  the  enemy  a  better  target.  Kneeling  is  open  to  the  same  objection,  but 
to  a  less  extent.  In  the  English  army,  when  the  fire  is  in  two  ranks,  the  front 
rank  kneel,  not  only  to  obtain  a  steadier  position,  but  to  get  them  out  of  the 
way  of  the  rear  rank,  and  thus  secure  a  more  rapid  and  accurate  fire.  The 
favorite  position  for  long-range  firing,  particularly  with  a  military  rifle,  is 
that  of  the  Skirmisher  Lying.  In  taking  this  position,  the  legs  should  be  well 
separated,  the  toes  being  turned  outward,  so  as  to  cause  the  body  to  hug 
the  ground  as  closely  as  possible.  The  left  elbow  should  be  kept  almost  straight 
under  the  rifle  (if  placed  too  far  to  the  left,  it  strains  the  wrist),  and  the  barrel 
grasped  firmly  with  the  left  liand.  The  right  elbow  should  be  placed  a  little 
to  the  right.  To  prevent  the  elbows  separating,  as  they  are  naturally  inclined  to 
do  on  hard  ground,  a  depression  may  be  made  in  the  ground  with  the  heel  of 
the  boot,  or  something  soft  placed  under  them.  The  hips  should  ])e  twisted 
to  the  left,  and  the  right  shoulder  well  raised,  to  keep  the  collar-bone  out  of 
the  way  and  afford  a  firm  seat  for  the  rifle  butt,  which  must  be  held  closely 
against   it.      Many  of  the   best   shots  at  Crecdmoor  and  Wimbledon  shoot,  ly- 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS  91 

ing  on  their  backs.  Some  lie  slightly  on  the  right  side,  resting  the  rifle  barrel 
over  the  left  leg,  the  left  hand  grasping  the  piece  at  the  small  of  the  stock, 
and  pressing  it  against  the  shoulder.  In  this  position,  the  distance  of  the  rear 
sight  from  the  eye  requires  a  larger  aperture  than  usual.  The  following  is  a 
favorite  back  position.  The  marksman  lies  on  his  back,  his  legs  crossed,  the 
left  leg  under  the  right  knee,  and  firmly  held  by  the  right  calf,  the  muzzle  of 
the  rifle  resting  in  the  crotch  between  the  knees.  The  left  arm  is  placed  be- 
hind the  head,  the  hand  firmly  grasping  the  butt  of  the  rifle,  the  back  of  the 
head  resting  on  the  left  forearm,  and  the  right  cheek  touching  the  side  of  the 
butt.  The  right  hand  holds  the  small  of  the  stock  with  a  f.rm  grasp,  the  elbow 
resting  on  the  ground.  In  this  position,  not  only  the  piece,  but  the  entire  per- 
son of  the  shooter  is  perfectly  supported,  and  absolute  steadiness  is  secured. 
Gildersleeve,  Coleman,  and  other  Americans   have  adopted   this   position,   and 


'Sir  Henry  Halford  and  others  at  Wimbledon  concede  its  advantages.  It  is 
doubtful  whether  any  advantage  is  gained  by  lying  on  the  back,  in  shooting 
'with  military  rifles.  The  position.  Face  Downwards,  is  certainly  preferable  for 
■military  reasons,  enabling  the  soldier  to  rapidly  advance  or  retreat,  to  shelter 
himself  behind  cover  or  to  entrench  himself.  Whether  the  rifleman  shoots 
standing,  kneehng.  sitting,  or  lying,  after  having  once  tested  and  become  satis- 
fied as  to  the  position  best  suited  to  himself,  he  should  practice  it  until  it  be- 
comes perfectly  natural  and  easy. 

The  Lyman  ofT-hand  rifle  rest,  shown  in  the  drawing,  designed  for  sighting 
and  testing  rifles,  is  most  useful  for  beginners  in  rifle  shooting.    It  consists  of 
[a  platform  about  five  feet  long  by  three  feet  wide  placed  lengthwise  with  the 
'target.     This  platform  is  boarded  up  on  three  sides,  viz.:    On  the  right  hand 
[  side  (facing  the  target)  and  at  both  ends  to  the  height  of  about  five  feet.    From 
the  top  of  these  sides  a  covering  of  boards  is  so  placed  that  when  the  shooter 
stands  on  the  platform  the  right  arm  and  the  left  hand  rest  on  this  covering,  al- 
lowing the  shooter  to  take  the  same  position  as  when  shooting  off-hand.  There 
are  so  many  riflemen  who  learn  to  shoot  in  bad  positions  that  this  rest  will  not 


92 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 


be  comfortable  to  some.  Those  who  will  appreciate  it  most  are  the  riflemen 
who  shoot  with  the  left  hand  well  out  on  the  barrel,  the  right  elbow  elevated 
and  the  butt  of  the  rifle  against  the  shoulder  (not  on  the  arm),  or,  in  other 
words,  those  who  hold  a  rifle  about  the  same  way  they  hold  a  shot-gun.  With 
this  rest  it  is  easv  to  take  the  right  position  and  keep  it  when  firing.  One  can 
learn  to  tell  where  the  bullet  strikes  before  the  marker  shows  it.    Jt  is  espe- 


cially good  for  the  beginner  in  rifle  shooting,  for  he  is  not  liable  to  fall  into 
that  most  common  and  worst  of  all  faults,  flinching.  This  habit  of  flinching 
comes  principally  from  the  fear  of  the  report  and  recoil.  When  the  rifle  is  held 
properly,  the  recoil  is  felt  very  little,  even  with  heavy  charges;  and  if  one  is  to 
be  a  successful  shot  at  any  kind  of  shooting,  he  must  have  the  courage  not  to 
consider  the  noise  and  kick  of  the  gun,  for  any  danger  to  the  shooter  is  simply- 
imaginary. 

The  Pope  double  or  machine  rest,  with  attachments  is  excellent  for  testing  pur- 
poses. ]\Iore  information  can  be  derived  from  its  use  in  a  few  hours,  than  can 
be  had  by  ordinary  rest  shooting  by  an  ordinary  shooter  in  as  many  weeks,  as  it 
has  no  human  errors  of  holding  and  pulling.  The  results  are  those  due  to  rifle, 
ammunition  and  weather.     It  is  made  in  several  styles. 

In  use,  two  stout  posts  are  set  deeply  in  tlie  ground,  the  firmer  ttic  better;  these 
are  braced  together,  and  a  smooth,  level  plank  fastened  on  the  top;  both  posts 
are  firmlv  braced  in  two  directions,  the  stop  is  fastened  on  the  top  plank  in  proper 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS  93 

position  and  the  rear  rest  to  the  rear  post  so  as  to  give  approximately  the  cor- 
rect elevation.  Front  rest  and  scope  mountings  are  clamped  to  the  barrel,  the 
same  loaded  and  slid  gently  to  the  stop;  adjust  the  rest  or  telescope  or  perhaps 
both,  so  the  gun  points  where  you  wish,  cross  hairs  being  between  each  pair  of  pas- 
ters; let  the  rifle  rest  naturally,  hold  the  right  hand  about  6  inches  behind  the 
butt,  touch  the  set  trigger  with  the  left  hand  and  catch  the  rifle  on  recoil.  If  the 
gun  has  a  heavy  pull,  pinch  the  trigger  and  guard  with  the  thumb  and  forefinger 
so  as  not  to  disturb  the  rifle  in  the  rest.  In  setting  up,  it  is  often  convenient  to 
set  the  rest,  so  the  rifle  will  point  on  the  target  before  the  telescope  is  mounted, 
using  the  ordinary  sights,  then  mount  the  scope  and  adjust  it  to  the  pasters,  and 
shoot  the  group,  then  move  the  rest  a  fair  amount,  that  depending  on  how  close 
the  gun  will  shoot,  then  bring  the  scope  again  to  the  pasters  and  shoot  again. 
A  telescope  sight  is  not  a  necessity  in  double  rest  shooting,  though  it  is  a  great 
convenience.  With  it  you  can  shoot  from  a  bench  that  is  not  firns,  as  the  sight 
gives  you  a  chance  to  correct  the  aim  each  time ;  for  all  that  an  absolutely  firm 
bench  is  best,  and  if  you  shoot  from  double  rest  without  a  scope,  it  is  an  abso- 
lute necessity. 

Many  German-Americans  use  and  highly  recommend  a  palm  rest,  attached  to 
the  rifle  to  aid  in  holding.  Such  an  appliance  may  be  proper  for  target  shoot- 
ing, but  cannot  become  popular  in  the  field.     The  "Universal"  palm  rest,  shown 


in  the  drawing,  fits  all  guns  and  is  adjustable  to  any  position.  It  is  quickly  at- 
tached (or  detached)  to  the  trigger  guard  or  lever  without  using  any  tool.  Its 
position  on  the  lever  or  guard  enables  the  marksman  to  hold  perfectly  firm  and 
rigid  and  at  the  same  time  to  obtain  a  body  rest,  free  and  natural  breathing, 
relaxation  of  the  muscles  and  increased  accuracy  which  naturally  follows. 

The  Pope  palm  rest  is  made  so  as  to  be  unscrewed  for  carrying  without  changing 
the  adjustment.  It  swings  away  from  the  lever  for  loading,  and  from  recoil 
(can  be  put  on  the  reverse  way,  if  desired).  The  shank  is  adjustable  for  length 
by  the  telescoping  tube  and  taper  nut,  and  for  position  to  or  from  the  body,  by 
changing  the  position  of  the  check  nuts  on  the  shank,  so  as  to  allow  the  shank 
to  come  against  the  stop  at  different  angles,  thus  aflfecting  the  distance.     Many 


ff-hand  shooters  prefer  a  hip  rest  and  thus  be  less  obliged  to  sacrifice  position 


94  AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 

or  use  a  light  rifle.  The  autlior  has  used,  with  some  satisfaction,  a  hip  rest  con- 
structed in  sections  and  attachable  to  a  palm  rest  base.  One  section  is  so  con- 
structed as  to  admit  of  several  inches    adjustment. 

A  great  variety  of  heel-plates  and  recoil  pads  are  used  by  sportsmen  at  the 
present  time.  The  Pififard  heel-plate,  consisting  of  a  soft  rubber  pad  or  cushion 
about  half  an  inch  in  thickness,  is  popular.  It  is  applied  to  the  butt  of  the  gun 
(after  removal  of  the  iron  heel-plate),  and  is  retained  in  position  by  a  skeleton 
plate.  The  latter  is  attached  to  the  stock  by  using  one  of  the  original  screws, 
and  in  addition  a  small  screw  inserted  near  the  toe  of  the  heel-plate.  The  stock 
of  the  gun  is  not  altered  in  any  manner,  and  the  original  butt-plate  can  be  re- 
applied at  will.  Experience  has  shown  that,  when  using  this  contrivance,  the 
effect  of  recoil  has  been  greatly  modified,  and  a  charge  of  as  much  as  no  grains 
of  powder,  with  420  of  lead,  can  be  shot  without  discomfort.  The  benefits  ac- 
cruing from  the  lessened  recoil  are :  Beginners  will  not  become  "gun-shy,"  and 
contract  the  habit  of  flinching;  increased  accuracy  from  absence  of  flinching; 
target  practice  can  be  more  continuously  and  efficiently  carried  on  than  is  prac- 
ticable without  the  elastic-plate,  owing  to  the  bruising  and  other  injuries  attend- 
ant on  the  use  of  the  service  cartridge ;  and,  the  powder  charge  for  amnumition 
could  be  materially  increased,  thereby  flattening  the  trajectory,  and  in  other 
respects  rendering  the  weapon  more  effective.  It  is  evident  that  the  use  of  this 
description  of  heel-plate  insures  greater  safety  and  increased  accuracy.  The  drop- 
ping of  a  loaded  gun  (cocked  or  half-cocked),  butt  downwards,  on  a  stone  or 
hard  ground  may  result  in  breaking  the  point  of  the  sear  or  one  of  the  notches 
of  the  tumbler,  causing  a  premature  discharge.  This  heel-plate  would  diminish 
the  force  of  the  concussion  and  lessen  the  liability  to  accident.  In  repeating 
rifles,  in  which  the  cartridges  are  arranged  in  the  magazine  with  the  bullet  of  one 
pressing  on  the  primer  of  the  one  in  front  of  it,  the  dropping  of  the  gun  might 
cause  an  explosion  in  the  magazine.     The  liabilit}-  to  this    accident    would    be 


diminished  by  the  use  of  the  plate,  rractical  marksmen  have  found  that  when 
using  this  heel-plate  the  butt  of  the  rifle  is  retained  in  proper  position  against 
the  arm  with  less  exertion,  the  rubber  not  slipping  from  the  arm  as  readily  as 
the  iron  butt-i)late.  By  a  resolution  of  the  directors  of  the  National  Rifle  Asso- 
ciation, the  use  of  this  heel-plate  was  permilted   in   all  C()mi)etitions  held  under 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS  95 

their  auspices.  The  Winters  1902  model  leather-covered  pneumatic  recoil  pad 
is  made  to  fit  any  gun-stock,  and  is  an  absolute  guard  against  bruised  shoulders. 
The  Rowley  cheek  pad  is  a  simple  and  effective  device  to  straighten  any  gun- 
stock  to  the  desired  bend  without  the  expensive  method  of  steaming  the  same.  It 
is  easily  put  on  and  taken  off  again,  and  besides  making  a  too  crooked  gun  fit, 


protects  the  high  polish  and  finish  of  a  fine  gun  stock  against  scratches  and  dents. 
All  these  devices  and  many  others,  like  the  Heikes  hand  protector,  are  regarded 
as  necessities  by  many  sportsmen,  and  are  in  a  measure  comforts  for  various 
kinds  of  shooting. 

IMPACT. 

In  order  to  arrive  at  a  clear  understanding  of  what  takes  place  when  the  mo- 
tion of  a  projectile  is  arrested  by  any  resisting  medium,  it  is  necessary  to  recall 
some  of  the  elementary  principles  upon  which  these  phenomena  depend.  The 
manner  in  which  a  projectile  acquires  its  velocity,  is  a  good  illustration  of  the 
manner  in  which  its  motion  is  destroyed.  If  the  mean  pressure  of  the  gas  be 
multiplied  by  the  space  passed  over  by  the  projectile  while  acquiring  its  velocity, 
the  result  will  be  the  measure  of  the  work  done  by  the  charge  of  powder;  and  it 
will  also  be  equal  to  the  work  of  stopping  the  same  projectile,  no  matter  how  or 
by  what  means  it  may  be  brought  to  rest.  The  same  result  is  generally  arrived 
at  by  measuring  the  velocity  imparted  to  the  projectile  under  the  circumstances 
mentioned,  and  multiplying  the  square  of  the  velocity  by  one-half  of  the  mass  of 
the  projectile.  The  following  are  the  different  effects  produced  by  the  impact 
of  a  projectile  upon  any  solid  body;  some  of  these  being  so  connected  as  to  render 
their  relative  importance  extremely  doubtful. 

Compression. — The  first  effort  of  impact  is  to  compress  or  drive  back  those  por- 
tions of  both  projectiles  and  target  first  coming  in  contact  upon  those  imme- 
diately behind  them ;  the  amount  of  this  compression  depending  upon  the  material 
and  velocity  of  impact,  as  well  as  upon  the  form  of  the  projectile. 

Elongation.— The  greater  part  of  the  work  of  the  projectile  in  penetrating 
wrought-iron  and  similar  materials  is  expended  in  overcoming  the  tenacity  of  the 
material,  or  in  elongating  the  fiber.    This  is  evident  when  we  consider  that  punch- 


90  AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 

ing  or  shearing  consists  not  so  much  in  cutting  the  fiber,  as  in  bending  it,  and 
afterwards  puUing  it  in  two  lengthwise. 

Shearing. — This,  as  just  stated,  consists  chiefly  in  the  two  strains  already  men- 
tioned. 

Bending. — This  also  implies  tension  and  compression ;  the  back  of  the  target 
being  elongated,  and  the  front  compressed. 

Pulverizing — a  portion  of  the  material.  This  takes  place  only  in  case  of  hard 
materials,  as  a  stone  or  cast-iron,  and  it  then  absorbs  a  very  great  amount  of  work. 
Like  bending  and  shearing,  it  involves  compression  and  elongation,  the  material 
being  compressed  until  it  yields  laterally  to  a  tensile  strain. 

Motion. — While  the  work  is  being  expended,  a  certain  amount  of  time  is  al- 
lowed for  the  force  of  the  projectile  to  impart  motion  to  the  target,  especially  that 
portion  immediately  in  front  of  the  projectile. 

Friction. — The  friction  is  very  great,  especially  in  the  case  of  the  more  pointed 
form  of  projectile,  and  varies  inversely  with  the  velocity  of  the  projectile. 

Heat. — This  is  due  to  friction,  both  external  and  internal,  that  is,  of  the  pro- 
jectile and  the  fragments  against  the  target,  and  against  each  other  during  the 
distortion  of  the  material,  from  compression,  bending,  etc.  The  suddenness  with 
which  this  heat  is  generated  is  almost  unequalled  by  any  known  source  of  heat. 

PENETRATION. 

The  most  common  substances  encountered  by  projectiles  are  arranged  in  the 
following  series,  in  the  order  of  their  resistance  to  penetration :  air.  z^'ater,  sand, 
wood,  lead,  copper,  wrought-iron,  soft  steel,  cast-iron,  chilled-iron,  hardened  steel, 
etc.  All  other  substances  may  be  arranged  between  these,  or  in  continuation  of 
the  series.  Air  opposes  the  motion  of  a  projectile  by  its  inertia,  elastic  force,  and 
the  pressure  due  to  its  weight.  The  projectile  compresses  the  air  in  its  front  and 
disperses  it  laterally,  while  the  rear  of  the  projectile  is  relieved  by  its  motion  of 
the  normal  pressure  of  air.  A  small  amount  of  resistance  is  also  met  with  in 
the  shape  of  friction.  In  the  case  of  i<'ater  these  resistances  arc  increased  by  the 
greater  density  and  weight  of  this  substance,  and  there  is  also  a  slight  additional 
resistance  due  to  the  cohesion  among  the  particles.  Sand,  being  a  solid,  or  at 
least  made  up  of  solid  elements,  presents  the  additional  resistance  of  "crushing- 
strength."  It  cannot  be  penetrated  at  a  high  velocity  without  crushing  some  of 
the  grains,  and  the  higher  the  velocity  the  greater  the  amount  of  work  expended 
in  this  manner.  This  resistance  to  crushing  implies  a  continuation  of  the  elastic 
force  beyond  the  clastic  limits,  and  involves  indirectly  tensile  strength,  since  a  solid 
in  being  crushed  must  enlarge  laterally  and  finally  yield  to  a  strain  of  tension. 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS  97 

In  penetrating  wood,  lead,  or  any  of  the  other  materials,  "tensile  strength"  forms 
the  chief  element  of  the  resistance,  while  inertia  and  friction  become  of  minor 
importance. 

The  office  of  elasticity  in  all  these  cases  is  to  transmit  the  effect  of  the  projectile 
from  those  particles  first  acted  upon  to  those  more  remote,  and  thus  calling  into 
play  their  inertia  or  tensile  strength,  as  the  case  may  be ;  and  were  it  not  for  this 
property,  the  statical  resistance  of  a  plate  of  any  material  to  perforation  would 
be  entirely  independent  of  the  thickness  of  the  plate;  a  thick  plate  would  offer 
no  greater  resistance  than  a  thin  one,  since  each  layer  or  unit  of  thickness  would 
be  perforated  without  receiving  any  assistance  from  its  neighbors.  The  work  of 
penetration  would  then  vary  directly  with  the  distance  penetrated,  or  the  thickness 
of  the  plate ;  elasticity,  however,  has  its  maximum  point  of  usefulness  in  resisting 
penetration,  and  beyond  this  it  becomes  a  great  disadvantage.  While  increasing 
the  number  of  fibers  or  elementary  portions  of  the  material  broken  at  once,  thereby 
increasing  the  statical  resistance,  it  diminishes  the  time  during  which  this  resist- 
ance opposes  the  motion  of  the  projectile  in  like  ratio;  and  the  amount  of  motion 
destroyed  or  generated  increases  with  the  time  as  well  as  with  the  force  or  re- 
sistance. For  this  reason  hardened  steel  and  chilled  iron  are  less  efficient  in  stop- 
ping projectiles  than  soft  iron,  although  they  offer  a  much  greater  statical  resist- 
ance to  penetration.  There  are  many  reasons  for  believing  that  a  general  formula 
for  the  penetration  of  projectiles  in  all  materials  may  be  deduced,  when  experi- 
ments have  been  sufficiently  extended. 

The  respective  motions  of  a  flat  and  pointed  headed  projectile  on  oblique  im- 
pact are  explained  as  follows :  It  is  asserted  that  the  flat-headed  projectile,  on 
striking,  cuts  out  a  portion  of  the  face  of  the  plate,  which  it  carries  along  in  front, 
thus  increasing  the  thickness  to  be  penetrated;  and,  remaining  nearly  parallel 
to  its  original  direction,  it  has  to  pass  through  the  plate  obliquely.  While,  if  the 
projectile  has  a  pointed  head,  the  point  enters  at  first  more  deeply  into  the  plate 
than  the  flat  head,  and  the  center  of  gravity  moving  forward,  the  projectile  turns 
around  more  readily  than  with  the  latter,  so  that  its  axis  becomes  perpendicular, 
or  nearly  so,  to  the  face  of  the  plate,  having  then  only  the  least  thickness  to  pene- 
trate. 

It  is  difficult  to  obtain  for  comparison  the  results  of  practice  with  the  flat  and 
pointed  headed  projectiles  of  the  same  material  fired  at  targets  inclined  to  the 
line  of  the  range;  the  former  having  been  so  little  used,  as  its  form  is  so  objec- 
tionable, both  as  regards  accuracy  and  velocity.  On  the  whole,  it  may  be  said  that 
in  the  case  when  the  projectile  ought  to  be  capable  of  piercing  the  plate  or  target, 


98  AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 

there  is  little  difference  between  the  effect  of  a  flat  head  and  a  hemispherical  head; 
but  when  the  target  is  beyond  the  power  of  the  projectile,  the  hemispherical  head 
makes  the  deepest  indent. 

The  impact  of  a  projectile,  in  addition  to  indenting  or  penetrating  a  target,  pro- 
duces more  or  less  bending,  tearing,  and  other  damage  at  a  distance  from  the 
point  of  impact ;  which  effects  may  be  classed  under  the  term  "Concussion."  The 
effect  of  concussion  is  transmitted  from  the  point  of  impact  in  all  directions,  in 
the  same  manner  as  sound-waves,  and  increases  with  the  elasticity  of  the  mater- 
ial. Whatever  tends  to  diminish  the  elasticity  of  the  structure,  as  dividing  it  into 
many  pieces,  or  using  soft  ductile  material  to  receive  the  projectile,  will  diminish 
the  effect  of  concussion.  This  effect  is  expended  in  two  ways — First,  in  giving 
motion  to  the  structure  or  in  developing  inertia ;  and,  Second,  in  overcoming  the 
tenacity  of  the  material,  either  in  bending  or  tearing  those  portions  first  acted  upon 
from  those  more  remote.  Both  of  these  components  increase  with  the  whole, 
amount  of  work  expended  by  the  projectile,  other  conditions  being  equal. 

Generally  speaking,  the  penetrative  effect  depends  on  the  shape  and  material  of  I 
the  projectile,  on  its  energy  and  diameter,  and  the  direction  with  which  it  strikes 
the  target.  It  is  quite  impossible  to  accurately  determine  the  coefficients  of  re- 
sistance for  the  different  materials  of  projectiles  and  plates;  but  practically  thej 
aniount  of  penetration,  whether  for  iron  or  steel  plates,  or  masonry,  or  earth,  may 
be  determined  by  experiment.  Various  empirical  laws  suffice  to  give  approximate  I 
results ;  but  they  do  not  stand  the  test  of  any  general  application.  In  consequence 
of  the  varying  qualities  of  resistance  both  in  projectiles  and  targets,  the  varia- 
tion in  shape  of  the  projectile  on  impact,  the  possibility  of  the  projectile  breaking 
up,  and  the  amount  of  heat  developed  on  impact,  strictly  analytical  investigations  j 
cannot  be  made. 

TARGET  PRACTICE. 

In  the  United  States,  as  in  the  Armies  of  other  Countries,  no  instruction  of] 
any  importance  was  given  the  soldier  in  the  use  of  his  arms,  before  the  introduc- 
tion of  the  rifle-musket.  The  old  smooth-bore  in  fact,  in  its  method  of  sighting, 
actually  stood  as  the  exponent  of  the  inaccurate  firing  of  the  weapons  of  its  day ; 
with  no  rear  sight  the  front  sight  alone  did  not  permit  of  any  accurate  aim ;  yet 
sufficient  perhaps  for  the  very  limited  precision  of  the  aim  itself.  When  the 
rifle-musket  was  generally  issued  in  1854,  it  was  recognized  that  the  Army  re- 
quired careful  instruction  in  its  use  before  the  capabilities  of  the  arm  could  be 
properly  developed;  General  Scott  therefore  published  in  General  Orders  in  De- 
cember of  that  year,  for  the  information  and  guidance  of  the  troops,  a  letter  from 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS  99 

the  Chief  of  Ordnance,  in  which  that  officer  stated,  that  as  all  the  sights  were 
marked  for  ranges  of  200,  300,  400,  500,  600  and  700  yards,  he  would  suggest 
that  the  practice  be  held  at  those  distances,  five  shots  to  be  fired  at  200  yards, 
seven  at  300  yards,  nine  each  at  400  and  500,  and  10  each  at  600  and  700  yards. 
Other  practice  was  recommended  at  intermediate  distances  for  which  it  was  sug- 
gested that  the  slide  on  the  sight  might  be  adjusted,  or  in  case  of  slight  differ- 
ence, by  the  soldier  taking  a  finer  or  coarser  sight.  That  it  was  presumed  that 
targets  would  be  employed,  is  evident  from  the  letter,  though  as  to  their  size, 
shape  and  any  details  of  construction  the  order  is  silent.  No  method  of  instruc- 
tion was  prescribed,  every  detail  being  left  to  the  discretion  of  the  company  offi- 
cer, who,  in  the  general  lack  of  knowledge  on  the  subject,  was  no  better  informed 
than  the  War  Department.  As  might  have  been  presumed  under  these  circum- 
stances, very  little  instruction  of  any  nature  was  imparted,  and  it  soon  became 
evident  that  further  measures  were  necessary.  Fifteen  months  later,  or  in  March, 
1856,  the  General-in-Chief  issued  a  circular  stating  that  from  the  representations 
made  to  him  of  the  lack  of  skill  on  the  part  of  most  of  the  men  then  in  the  ranks, 
and  with  a  view  to  their  improvement  in  firing  with  ball  cartridge,  he  proposed 
ordering  a  more  general  practice  in  that  important  branch  of  military  instruction. 
Officers  were  therefore  required  to  communicate  to  him  at  an  early  day,  their 
views  on  the  subject,  and  to  state  whether  in  their  opinion  the  practice  should  be 
weekly,  monthly,  or  quarterly;  what  number  of  rounds  per  man  should  be  al- 
lowed under  ordinary  circumstances  at  each  practice;  under  what  regulation 
should  the  practice  be  conducted  and  what  inducements  to  acquire  skill  should  be 
held  out,  together  with  such  further  suggestions  as  their  knowledge  and  expe- 
rience should  enable  them  to  furnish. 

The  replies  to  this  circular,  from  their  great  dissimilarity,  slight  comprehen- 
sion of  the  subject,  and  paucity  of  practical  suggestions,  did  not  afiford  sufficient 
material  upon  which  a  system  of  instruction  could  be  based,  and  no  further  prog- 
ress was  immediately  made. 

In  October,  1857,  Captain  Henry  Heth,  loth  Infantry,  was  directed  to  draw 
up  a  system  of  "Target  Practice  with  Small-arms."  Captain  Heth  was  furnished 
with  the  replies  received  under  General  Scott's  Circular  of  the  preceding  year, 
and  with  the  dififerent  foreign  publications  on  the  subject.  The  system  which  he 
submitted  was  adopted  by  the  Secretary  of  War  on  March  i,  1858.  In  his  pre- 
face. Captain  Heth  states  that  his  system  is  chiefly  a  translation  from  the  French 
"Instruction  provisoire  sur  le  Tir,"  which,  in  fact,  he  would  have  recommended 
with  little  or  no  change  if  schools  similar  to  the  French  Schools  of  Musketry  had 
existed  in  our  service.     He  also  used  the  reports  on  the  subject  that  had  been 


100  AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 

rendered  by  Major  T.  Williams,  4th  Artillery,  and  Brevet  Major  Fitz-John  Por- 
ter, Adjutant-General's  Department,  and  further  acknowledged  valuable  aid  and 
assistance  from  Lieut.  Julian  McAllister,  Ordnance  Department. 

The  methods  prescribed  contemplated,  first,  aiming  and  then  position  drills, 
subsequently  firing  with  caps  or  candle  practice,  and  finally  estimating  distance, 
drill  as  all  preliminary  to  regular  target  practice.  For  ball  practice  it  was  pre- 
scribed that  the  targets  be  placed  at  150,  225,  250,  300,  325.  350,  400,  450,  5(X), 
550,  600,  700,  800,  900  and  1,000  yards,  at  all  ranges;  the  surface  fired  at  was 
6  feet  high,  and  either  22  inches  wide  or  some  multiple  of  that  dimension  at  600 
yards,  for  instance,  being  no  inches  (9  feet  2  inches)  in  width;  the  targets  be- 
ing divided  by  a  horizontal  and  vertical  line,  of  a  width  depending  upon  the  dis- 
tance at  which  they  were  used,  varying  between  4  ^nd  20  inches.  Four  rounds 
were  to  be  fired  at  each  distance.  After  practice  at  the  first  seven  ranges,  the 
Company  was  to  be  divided  into  three  classes  of  about  equal  size,  the  first  com- 
prising those  men  who  had  hit  the  target  the  greatest  number  of  times,  the  sec- 
ond class  of  those  who  came  next  in  order,  and  the  third  class  of  the  poorer  shots. 

Three  exercises  in  skirmish  firing  were  contemplated,  10  shots  being  fired  at 
each  drill,  five  when  advancing,  and  five  when  retreating.  The  number  of  tar- 
gets was  only  limited  by  the  circumstances  of  the  ground ;  for  the  first  practice 
they  were  6  feet  high  and  22  inches  broad  and  placed  six  yards  apart,  fire  was 
opened  when  the  Company  had  arrived  within  a  range  of  350  yards,  the  point 
where  the  advance  was  to  cease  and  the  retreat  commence  was  not  stated.  In 
the  second  practice  the  size  of  the  targets  was  doubled  and  fire  opened  at  600 
yards.  In  the  third  practice  the  width  of  the  targets  was  increased  to  88  inches, 
the  Company  commenced  to  fire  w'hen  at  a  distance  of  800  yards.  Both  file  and 
volley  firing  were  also  required,  at  the  distances,  300,  400  and  500  yards,  two 
cartridges  being  fired  by  file  and  two  by  volley  at  each  distance. 

In  the  first  prosecution  of  target  practice,  the  Army  was  greatly  aided  by  the 
"Manual  of  Rifle  Firing,"  of  General  George  W.  Wingate,  the  General  Inspector 
of  Rifle  Practice  of  the  State  of  New  York.  General  Wingate  through  his  per- 
sonal efforts,  succeeded  in  introducing  rifle  practice  as  a  part  of  the  military  in- 
struction of  the  National  Guard,  and  his  system,  undoubtedly  at  that  time  the 
best  extant,  was  very  generally  consulted  throughout  the  Army.  In  some  par- 
ticulars, it  was  not,  however,  deemed  the  best  that  could  be  devised  for  Army  use. 
About  this  time  the  author,  having  returned  to  Washington  from  several  year's 
active  field  service  in  Oregon  and  Idaho,  conferred  with  General  Wingate.  and  as 
a  result.  Wingate  and  Farrow's  System  of  Target  Practice  was  prepared  and  sub- 
mitted to  the  War  Department.     The  author,  who  had  l)cen  in  command  of  In- 


I 


AiMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 


101 


dian  scouts  and  had  just  gone  through  the  Nez  Perce  and  several  other  hard 
fought  Indian  campaigns,  contributed  to  the  System  many  valuable  features  and 
suggestions,  based  on  his  actual  experience  and  observations  in  the  field.  This 
System  was  appropriated  bodily  by  the  War  Department,  and  after  some  chang- 
ing and  remodeling,  appeared  as  a  "Course  of  Instruction  in  Rifle  Firing,"  by 
Col.  T.  T.  S.  Laidley,  in  accordance  with  directions  given  by  the  Chief  of  Ord- 
nance, and  by  a  General  Order,  was  announced  as  the  System  allowed  in  the  Ser- 
vice for  the  Instruction  of  the  Army  in  the  use  of  the  Rifle.  The  order  further 
prescribed  that  the  necessary  aiming  stands,  targets,  etc.,  were  to  be  obtained 

XII 


lA 

RING  TARGET 
from  the  Ordnance  Department,  and  the  labor  and  expense  of  setting  them  up 
and  preparing  the  shelters,  etc.,  borne  by  the  Quartermaster's  Department.  This 
.System  placed  the  instruction  of  the  men  at  each  Post  in  the  hands  of  an  Instruc- 
tor of  Musketry,  aided  by  such  assistants  as  the  size  of  the  command  required. 
■Company  officers,  while  required  to  be  themselves  instructed,  and  to  fire  annually 
a  number  of  cartridges,  yet  only  participated  in  the  education  of  their  men  as  As- 
sistants to  the  regular  Musketry  Instructor.  The  course  comprised  exercises  in 
which  the  soldier  was  taught  successfully  to  take  the  best  position  for  holding  the 
rifle,  to  aim  it  accurately,  hold  it  steadily  and  pull  the  trigger  without  deranging 
the  aim.  In  firing,  standing  or  kneeling,  only  the  tactical  positions  were  per- 
mitted, while  for  firing  lying,  the  prone  or  tactical  position  was  not  alluded  to,  but 
a  special  side-position  required.     For  range  practice  the  targets  used  by  the  Na- 


102  AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 

tional  Rifle  Association  were  adopted,  and  tlie  practice  commenced  at  loo  yards, 
each  man  firing  five  shots,  or  additional  single  shots  in  cases  when  each  succeed- 
ing shot  showed  an  improvement  over  the  last.  The  most  expert  were  then  to 
be  advanced  to  200  yards,  where  firing  was  held  in  a  similar  manner.  Each  man 
was,  however,  prohibited  from  firing  more  than  15  shots,  or  from  practicing  at 
more  than  two  distances  in  any  one  day. 

In  March,  1882,  General  Alfred  H.  Terry,  commanding  the  Department  of 
Dakota,  issued  an  order  requiring  all  Company  officers  to  practice  with  their  com- 
mands, and  also  further  requiring  the  presence  for  instruction  of  all  the  extra  and 
daily  duty  men  of  the  Company.  He  prescribed  that  all  firing  should  commence 
at  100  yards,  each  one  firing  at  least  one  score  of  five  shots;  firing  in  a  similar 
manner  was  to  be  conducted  at  the  other  ranges,  the  soldier  being  advanced  from 
range  to  range  as  he  exhibited  proficiency,  but  not  sooner.  The  percentages, 
which,  as  a  general  rule  were  to  be  considered  as  a  necessary  requisite  for  ad- 
vancement, were  also  established.  In  December  of  the  same  year,  General  Terry, 
in  announcing  to  his  Command  the  result  of  the  year's  labors,  remarked  as  fol- 
lows: "No  one  can  doubt  that  the  average  capacity  of  the  men  to  learn  how  to 
use  their  arms  effectively  is  the  same  in  all  Companies  and  at  all  Posts.  Nearly 
all  the  men  enter  the  Service  without  previous  experience  in  the  use  of  arms, 
and  the  number  of  those  in  any  organization  who  have  had  previous  experience, 
is  too  small  to  affect  its  character.  Moreover,  the  experience  of  that  small  num- 
ber is  seldom  such  as  to  be  of  value  in  the  prescribed  course  of  Rifle  Instruction. 
It  cannot  be  supposed  that  there  are  any  essential  differences  in  the  averages  of 
either  physical  or  mental  qualification  in  the  different  parts  into  which  the  Army 
is  divided.  This  being  the  case,  the  different  results  obtained  in  different  organ- 
izations must  be  due  to  the  officers  who  command  them,  and  to  the  officers  alone. 
Where  officers  are  obedient  and  carry  out  in  good  faith  the  orders  which  pre- 
scribe the  course  of  rifle  practice ;  where  they  are  intelligent  and  zealous ;  where 
tlicy  not  only  demand  obedience  from  their  men,  but  seek  to  awaken  their  inter- 
est in  this,  the  most  important  part  of  their  instruction,  and  especially  where  they 
endeavor  to  excite  emulation  by  practicing  with  their  men  and  by  becoming  good 
shots  themselves,  excellent  results  will  assuredly  follow." 

In  1884,  an  improved  System  was  prepared  by  Captain  S.  E.  Blunt,  of  the 
Ordnance  Department,  who  had  sent  interrogatories  throughout  the  Army  ask- 
mg  suggestions  pertinent  to  the  subject  on  which  the  opinions  and  recommenda- 
tions of  the  officers  addressed,  were  solicited.  As  compared  with  the  former  Sys- 
tems, the  most  marked  features  were  the  recognition  it  gave  the  Company  Com- 
mander, as  the  appropriate  Instructor  of  his  men ;  the  definite  rules  prescribed  for 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS  103 

conducting  the  various  steps  of  instruction  from  the  recruit  stage  through  all  the 
phases  of  range  firing  up  to  that  for  the  grade  of  sharpshooter;  the  incorpora- 
tion of  the  most  approved  orders ;  the  simplification  of  reports  and  records ;  the 
adoption  of  targets,  both  for  range  and  skirmish  firing,  which  would  most  pro- 
mote the  education  of  the  soldier  in  the  direction  for  which  the  knowledge  ac- 
quired would  prove  most  efficacious  in  war,  and  especially  the  measures  taken  to 
insure  careful  attention  to  the  skirmish  firing;  and  to  further  and  increase  the 
control  of  the  officer  over  his  men  on  the  line  of  battle,  perfecting  thereby  the 
most  essential  of  all  the  features  of  musketry  instruction,  the  fire  discipline  of  the 
Company. 

The  National  Rifle  Association  of  America  was  founded  in  Nov.  1871.  The 
following  year  a  bill  was  passed  in  ihe  New  York  Legislature  contributing  $25,- 
cxx)  to  the  support  of  the  Association,  and  the  sum  of  $13,000  for  trophies;  the 
City  of  New  York  donated  $5,000  and  the  Association  itself  raised  $5,000.  Land 
was  purchased  at  Creedmoor,  L.  1.,  and  a  range  built.  The  first  meeting  was 
held  in  the  Spring  of  1873,  ^^  local  teams  contested  four  matches  at  200  and  400 
yards,  on  iron  targets  with  square  bull's  eyes.  All  four  matches  were  won  by 
the  22d  Regiment,  N.  G.  N.  Y.  team.  In  the  Fall  of  that  year  the  first  interna- 
tional match  was  shot  at  this  range  between  teams  representing  Ireland  and  Amer- 
ica, and  was  won  for  the  American  team  by  a  member  of  that  team  making  a 
bull's  eye  on  his  last  shot.  In  June  of  the  following  year  the  Association  sent  a 
team  to  Ireland  to  shoot  a  return  match,  which  also  resulted  in  a  victory  for  the 
Americans.  In  1876  the  Association  held  a  great  international  tournament  at 
Creedmoor  at  which  the  teams  from  Ireland,  Scotland,  Australia  and  Canada  com- 
peted with  an  American  team  for  the  Centennial  "Palma"  trophy,  emblematic  of 
the  world's  championship. 

The  result  of  these  international  contests  was  that  a  great  craze  for  rifle  shoot- 
ing swept  over  the  country.  Rifle  associations  and  clubs  were  formed  through- 
out the  land,  ranges  were  built  and  many  States  adopted  courses  of  instruction  in 
rifle  shooting,  a  branch  of  a  soldier's  duties  which  had  always  been  sadly  neg- 
lected. The  different  States  began  also  to  take  an  interest  in  the  annual  meetings 
of  the  Association  and  to  send  teams  to  compete  for  the  valuable  bronze  trophy, 
•the  "Soldier  of  Marathon,"  a  gift  of  the  State  of  New  York  to  the  Association 
in  1875.  New  Jersey,  Connecticut,  Massachusetts  and  California  were  among  the 
first  to  enter  the  lists.  Three  years  later  the  "Hilton"  trophy,  valued  at  $3,000, 
the  gift  of  Henry  Hilton  of  New  York,  was  put  up  for  competition.  This  trophy 
is  the  most  coveted  of  America's  prizes  and  stands  for  the  team  championship  of 
the  United  States. 


104  AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 

In  1880  the  Army  began  to  send  teams  from  the  different  miHtary  divisions, 
now  departments,  to  compete  for  this  trophy,  and  were  three  times  successful. 
The  presence  of  these  army  teams  was  a  great  incentive  for  the  vokmteers  to 
try  and  excel,  and  there  was  universal  regret  expressed  among  the  citizen  soldiery 
when,  after  1885,  the  army  teams  were  withdrawn  from  these  contests. 

The  pinacle  of  success  was  reached  by  the  Association  in  the  year  1878,  when 
the  number  of  prizes  amounted  to  317,  with  an  aggregate  value  of  $13,000.  This 
success  and  popularity  lasted  for  about  five  years  longer,  when  the  meetings  be- 
gan to  wane.  From  the  inception  of  the  Association,  the  arms  and  ammunition 
manufacturers,  the  leading  newspapers,  business  houses  and  many  individuals  had 
been  donating  rich  prizes  yearly.  To  this  fact  more  than  anything  else  was  due 
the  success  of  the  meetings. 

New  sports  now  began  to  amuse  the  fickle  public  and  gradually  the  supporters 
of  rifle  shooting  withdrew  their  patronage.  With  the  decrease  of  the  number  of 
prizes,  the  attendance  of  riflemen  from  other  States  grew  less  and  less,  until  it 
became  rare  to  see  more  than  a  couple  of  nearby  States  represented.  Finally 
the  finances  of  the  Association  reached  such  a  low  ebb  that  the  repairs  necessary 
to  keep  the  range  in  shape  for  the  National  Guard  practice  could  not  be  made  and 
the  State  authorities  stepped  in  and  took  possession  of  the  range. 

The  last  meeting  held  on  the  Creedmoor  range  was  in  1891.  The  following 
year  the  officers  of  the  Association  arranged  with  the  New  Jersey  State  Rifle 
Association  to  incorporate  in  the  programme  of  its  annual  meeting,  the  three 
matches,  the  trophies  for  which  were    to    be    shot    for    annually.     These    three 


SOLDIER  OF   MARATHON  WIMBLETON  CUP  TROPHY  HILTON   TROPHY 

matches,  the  "Hilton  Trophy,"  "Soldier  of  Marathon,"  and  "Wimbledon  Cup," 
have  since  been  shot  for  at  Sea  Girt.  The  liberal  and  wide-awake  policy  of  the 
New  Jersey  State  Rifle  Association  for  the  last  few  years  brought  about  a  great 
revival  of  the  sport  of  rifle  shooting,  so  nuich  so  that  it  was  recently  decided  to 
organize  a  new  Rifle  Association  to  control  it,  and  arrange  for  international  con- 
tests. 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS  105 

Later  it  was  found  that  it  was  practicable  to  get  together  a  quorum  of  the  life 
raembers  of  the  National  Rifle  Association  to  perfect  a  re-organization.  When 
th:s  had  been  done  the  new  board  of  directors  adopted  the  by-laws  and  elected 
the  officers  of  the  new  Association  and  then  resigned,  leaving  the  management  of 
the  re-organized  Association  in  the  hands  of  the  new  people.  The  new  National 
Rifle  Association  of  America  started  out  in  life  with  four  trophies,  no  debts  and 
iplenty  of  new  life  and  enthusiasm. 

1  The  Association  will  own  no  ranges ;  it  will  not  be  a  commercial  enterprise ;  its 
iaim  will  be  the  advancement  of  the  art  of  rifle  shooting  throughout  the  nation. 
lit  will  formulate  rules  and  regulations  governing  competitions ;  determine  the 
iproper  targets  to  be  used ;  decide  how  matches  shall  be  conducted,  etc.  Its  grand- 
est object  will  be  to  promote  and  encourage  the  use  of  the  national  arm,  and  to 
make  the  public  as  well  as  the  National  Guardsmen,  familiar  with  the  rifle  that 
they  would  be  called  on  to  use  in  case  of  war,  besides  demonstrating  its  merits  or 
demerits,  and  how  it  can  be  improved. 

Target  practice  constitutes  a  branch  of  military  instruction  peculiarly  fitted  for 
the  National  Guard,  and  in  which  they  will  always  excel.  The  "position"  and 
''aiming  driU"  which  constitute  the  foundation  of  the  system,  can  be  acquired  in 
-.heir  armories,  and  even  at  their  homes,  while  the  high  state  of  intelligence  ex- 
sting  among  them  enables  them  to  soon  apply  upon  the  range  the  instruction  they 
lave  received.  While  every  inducement  should  be  made  to  attract  and  develop 
jood  individual  shots,  so  as  to  constitute  a  good  regimental  "team,"  and  for  this 
mrpose  individual  emulation  should  be  encouraged  in  every  way,  yet  Regimental 
:ommanders  must  bear  in  mind  that  the  true  object  to  be  attained  is  to  secure 
he  general  efficiency  of  the  rank  and  file  as  riflemen.  More  credit  should  attach 
o  an  organization  making  high  average  shooting  than  to  one  having  a  champion 
eam,  and  all  influences  possible  should  be  exercised  in  that  direction.  Nor  will 
his  course  interfere  with  the  selection  of  a  good  team.  Nothing  has  been  more 
learly  demonstrated  at  Creedmoor  than  that  shooting  is  a  matter  of  education, 
:nd  it  will  be  found  that  a  thorough  course  of  instruction  will  not  only  make  the 
egiment  efficient  as  a  whole,  but  invariably  develop  a  number  of  "crack"  shots 
rom  among  those  who  supposed  themselves  to  be  without  the  qualifications  re- 
uisite  for  a  "Marksman,"  and  the  more  "Marksmen"  the  better  the  chances  for 

strong  "team." 

Candle  practice  is  specially  to  be  recommended  for  the  National  Guard.  It 
•ives  almost  the  same  results  as  armory  target  practice,  and,  as  it  may  be  per- 
Drmed  simultaneously  by  an  entire  company,  the  saving  of  time  is  a  great  desid- 
ratum.     Calculating  on  a  basis' of  one  shot  a  minute,  five  shots  by  30  men  at  a 


106  AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 

single  target  require  two  hours  and  a  half,  while  at  candles  they  could  all  be  fired 
in  lo  minutes.  In  this  practice,  a  gas  pipe  with  small  jets  is  preferable  to  candles. 
Some  regiments  place  a  miniature  tin  target  in  front  of  the  lights  aimed  at,  hav- 
ing the  bull's-eye  cut  out,  the  flame  appearing  just  behind  its  center,  so  that  a 
"bull's-eye"  extinguishes  it.  When  candles  are  used,  it  is  an  advantage  to  insert 
them  in  a  tube  with  a  spiral  spring,  so  as  to  always  keep  the  flame  in  one  position, 
as  in  a  carriage  lamp.  Some  regiments  have  a  bench  like  a  carpenter's  horse  to 
place  the  candles  on,  so  as  to  admit  of  their  being  moved  to  different  parts  of  the 
room  to  suit  the  light.  In  this  practice  the  primer  used  on  the  regular  cartridge 
does  not  contain  sufficient  fulminate  to  extinguish  the  flame  at  a  distance  of  three 
feet  with  certainty.  In  order  to  meet  this  defect,  special  primers  can  and  should 
be  always  obtained  containing  an  extra  quantity  of  fulminate.  Better  effects  are 
also  found  to  result  from  enlarging  the  aperture  into  the  cartridge.  The  shells 
made  by  the  Union  Metallic  Cartridge  Company  are  unsuited  to  this  practice. 
The  cone-shaped  anvil  used  in  them  blows  out,  when  used  without  powder,  at 
the  second  discharge,  spoiling  the  shell,  and  thus  making  the  practice  expensive. 
Neither  the  Remington  shell  nor  that  made  by  the  United  States  Cartridge  Com- 
pany is  liable  to  this  objection,  and  in  both,  the  opening  for  the  fulminate  can  be 
enlarged.  As  a  piece  of  the  cap  is  frequently  forced  through  the  barrel  by  the 
explosion  of  the  primer,  care  must  be  taken  in  this  practice  never  to  aim  in  any 
direction  where  injury  could  be  caused  by  it.  The  main  drill  of  the  National 
Guard  (in  the  cities  at  least)  must  take  place  at  tHeir  armories,  and  practice  at 
the  range  be  but  occasional,  "not  to  learn,  but  to  test  what  has  been  learned." 
Officers  should,  therefore,  devote  all  the  available  time  to  the  sighting,  position, 
and  aiming  drill,  which  form  the  foundation  for  the  whole  system.  As  these  are 
apt  to  prove  monotonous,  candle  practice  should  be  frequently  indulged  in,  this 
portion  of  the  drill  being  always  interesting  to  the  men.  It  is,  therefore,  recom- 
mended that  the  men  should  be  practiced  in  firing  at  candles  at  the  conclusion  of 
each  aiming  drill.  With  men  of  the  intelligence  of  those  composing  the  National 
Guard,  the  improvement  that  will  be  found  to  result  from  a  little  careful  prac- 
tice of  this  description  will  be  found  surprising ;  and  a  Company  that  at  the  be- 
ginning could  not  extinguish  more  than  two  or  three  candles  at  a  volley,  in  two 
or  three  months  will  put  out  nine  out  of  lo;  and  it  is  frequently  observed  that 
those  who  have  had  the  least  previous  practice  as  sportsmen  will  prove  the  best 
shots.  This  (candle)  practice  will  also  prove  valuable  as  a  substitute  for  ball 
practice  in  judging  the  efficiency  of  the  men  in  those  cases  where  tiic  latter  cannot 
be  had ;  and  none  should  be  practiced  in  target  firing  who  have  not  averaged  ex- 
tinguishing five  out  of  lo  candles  at  a  previous  drill. 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS  107 

SHORT  RANGE,  GALLERY  OR  ARMORY  PRACTICE. 

Many  shooters  derive  as  much  pleasure  and  enjoyment  from  the  use  of  their 
arms  at  Short  Range  Practice,  and  shooting  small  game,  as  they  do  at  the  regular 
range,  or  when  on  their  hunt  for  larger  game.  This  they  can  participate  in  at  a 
much  less  expense,  and  in  the  ofT-season,  which  not  only  keeps  them  in  practice, 
but  aflfords  many  hours  of  keen  enjo}Tnent.  There  are  a  great  variety  of 
bullets  of  all  weights,  shapes,  and  calibers,  so  that  the  most  critical  shooter  should 
be  able  to  find  what  he  desires  for  whatever  rifle  he  may  have. 

Armory  or  Gallery  Practice  is  also  becoming  more  popular  every  winter,  and 
great  efficiency  is  attained  with  light  charges  and  round  ball,  or  special  short 
range  conical  bullets.  It  is  a  cheap,  pleasant,  enjoyable  pastime.  The  marked 
improvement  in  the  shooting  at  the  range  is  in  a  great  measure  credited  to  the 
Armory  and  Gallery  Practice.  The  use  of  the  same  rifle  at  Armory  or  Gallery 
Practice  that  is  used  at  the  range  will  accusitom  the  shooter  to  it,  and  tend  to  per- 
fect him  in  the  proper  handling  of  the  arm.  This  feature  is  recognized  by  the 
leading  military  shooters,  and  Armory  Practice  is  now  permanently  fixed  as  a 
part  of  the  duty  of  the  military  shooter,  if  he  expects  to  become  proficient  at  the 
range.  The  U.  S.  Marine  Corps  officials  at  Washington,  recognizing  these  facts, 
tested  the  special  45-210  grain  bullet  for  their  short  range  work,  after  which  they 
gave  orders  for  a  quantity  of  the  Ideal  Armory  moulds  for  that  bullet,  which  are 
now  being  used  in  the  Service.  The  whole  of  the  New  York  State  Militia,  and 
numerous  other  military  organizations,  who  use  large  quantities  of  bullets,  are 
served  with  these  moulds  cut  for  the  round,  210  grain  special,  and  other  bullets 
as  desired. 

If  using  black  powders,  select  the  fine  grade,  which  is  quicker.  The  high-grade 
shotgun  black  'powders,  which  would  not  be  good  for  full  charge  rifle  cartridges, 
work  well  far  small  charges  from  5  to  15  grains,  according  to  size  of  bore  and 
distance  to  be  shot.  Some  of  the  Smokeless  shotgun  powders,  such  as  Hazard's, 
BuPont's,  "E.  C.,"  Schultze,  King's,  Oriental  and  Walsrode,  are  not  proper  for 
full  charge  rifle  or  pistol  cartridges,  yet  they  are  fine  for  short  range,  if  used  in 
quantities  not  greater  than  from  5  to  10  grains.  King's  F.  F.  F.  G.  semi-smoke- 
less powder  is  also  good.  In  the  factory  short  range  cartridges,  the  powder  is 
loose  in  the  shell,  and  the  bullet,  if  grooved,  is  seated  in  the  shell  just  deep  enough 
to  caver  the  lubrication.  The  air  space  between  the  ball  and  powder  is  unfilled,  and 
very  good  work  is  ordinarily  secured  from  this  ammunition,  but  if  the  shooter 
thoughtlessly  holds  his  rifle  with  muzzle  down  before  bringing  it  to  his  shoulder, 
the  powder  falling  from  the  base  of  the  shell  may  cause  hang-fire.  We,  therefore, 
advise  a  little  soft  cotton  wad,  pressed  lightly  upon  the  powder,  with  the  end  of  a 
lead  pencil,  simply  to  keep  it  at  the  base  of  the  shell.     The  round  ball  is  for  the 


108  AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 

shortest  range  with  smallest  charge  of  powder.  They  should  be  made  consid- 
erably hard,  and  as  large  as  can  be  forced  in  the  muzzle  of  the  shell,  without  ex- 
panding it.  The  round  bullet  presents  but  very  little  bearing  surface  to  the  rifling, 
so  it  should  be  as  large  as  possible,  to  prevent  escapement  of  gas,  and  if  hard, 
instead  of  soft,  they  will  be  more  liable  to  hold  to  the  rifling.  If  too  much  powder 
is  used  with  round  ball,  they  will  be  apt  to  jump  the  rifling  and  lead  the  barrel. 
The  cause  of  dissatisfaction  to  many  who  have  tried  the  round  bullet  has  been 
the  use  of  too  much  pow^der,  and  the  bullets  too  soft.  Insert  the  bullet  in  the  shell 
about  one-eighth  of  an  inch  below  the  muzzle,  and  run  a  drop  of  melted  lubricant 
around  the  bullet  and  the  shell  where  they  come  in  contact. 

Some  shooters  believe  the  bullet  should  be  seated  away  down  in  the  shell  on  a 
small  charge  of  powder,  while  others  prefer  loading  as  described  above.  We 
think,  in  many  cases,  the  accuracy  may  be  impaired  by  having  a  bullet  seated  too 
far  in  the  shell,  for  it  necessitates  the  movement  of  the  bullet  the  length  of  the 
shell  before  it  strikes  the  rifling,  and  it  may  not  enter  on  a  true  axis  with  the  barrel, 
especially  if  there  is  a  space  to  jump  between  the  end  of  the  shell  and  the  rifling. 
It  is  an  acknowledged  fact  that  a  bullet,  perfectly  seated  in  the  rifling  before  dis- 
charge takes  place,  approaches  nearest  to  perfection.  Hence,  the  use  of  the  barrel 
bullet  seater  for  fine  target  work.  We  think  the  nearest  to  that  method  would 
be  to  keep  the  bullet  as  close  to  the  rifling  as  possible. 

The  target  here  illustrated  is  actual  size,  and  it  bears  strong  testimony  on  the 
subject  in  hand.  Number  of  shots,  26;  distance,  100  feet;  rifle,  .30  cal.  Gov't., 
Winchester  model  '95 ;  twist,  10  inches ;  powder  used,  DuPont's  smokeless  rifle 


No.  i;  quantity,  10  grains,  no  wadding;  primer  used.  No.  2A  W.  Winchester; 
bullet  used,  .32  S.  &  W.,  as  cast  in  Ideal  Alonld ;  size,  full  .313.  The  bullet  being 
.313,  could  not  be  set  within  the  .30  cal.  shell,  which  is  snug  for  a  bullet  .308,  so  it 
was  simply  placed  on  the  muzzle  of  the  shell,  and  tapped  lightly,  so  as  to  make 
It  hold,  while  being  inserted  in  the  chamber.  Tjubrication  on  the  outside.  Bullet 
was  cast  of  metal,  one  part  tin  to  19  of  lead.     Shot  from  a  rest. 


AMERICAN    SMALL  ARMS  109 

There  is  no  portion  of  ritic  practice  more  important  tlian  understanding  how 
to  estimate  distance,  but  the  question  of  how  such  a  knowledge  shaU  be  acquired 
and  imparted,  forms  a  very  difficult  problem  for  an  officer  of  the  National  Guard. 
In  the  country,  facilities  for  the  purpose  can  be  easily  obtained ;  but  in  the  cities, 
officers,  in  addition  to  requiring  their  men,  when  upon  the  range  and  not  liring,  to 
practice  in  this  exercise  nmst  urge  them  to  accustom  themselves  to  judge  distances 
the  best  way  they  can,  impressing  upon  them  that,  no  matter  how  accurate  marks- 
men they  may  be  at  a  fixed  target,  they  are  worthless  if  they  cannot  calculate  the 
distance  of  an  enemy.    In  estimating  distances,  the  following  suggestions  may  be 
^  valuable :  At  50  yards  the  observer  can  name  any  one  of  his  comrades  readil}-,  as 
:  the  age,  complexion,  height,  and  figure  can  be  determined  at  that  distance.     At 
100  yards  he  should  notice  those  parts  which  are  clearly  visible,  and  his  attention 
•  drawn  to  the  indistinctness  of  other  portions.     The  lineaments  of  the  face  are  no 
■  longer  visible,  the  buttons  down  the  front  of  the  coat  appears  one  continuous  line. 
The  movements  of  the  men  individually,  and  the  form  and  color  of  the  uniform, 
I  are,  however,  perfectly  visible.    At  225  yards,  the  colors  of  the  uniform,  cartridge- 
'  boxes,  etc.,  are  still  visible ;  but  the  face  now  resembles  a  light-colored  ball  under 
!  the  cap.     At  about  250  yards  he  can  distinguish  only  the  different  parts  of  the 
■body  and  the  rifle.     At  about  450  yards,  the  direction  of  the  line  of  march  and 
the  movement  of  the  rifles  can  be  detected,  and  in  cavalry  the  helmet,  cuirass, 
bright  colors  of  the  uniform,  etc.    At  600  yards  the  head  looks  Hke  a  small  round 
ball,  and  the  shoulders  sloped  off.    At  700  or  800  yards  the  body  has  a  dwindled 
appearance,  but  the  legs  of  men  in  motion  or  extended  arms  are  still  distinguish- 
able.   At  900  and  1,000  yards  the  separate  files  and  direction  of  march  are  still  ap- 
parent.    At  1,200  yards  infantry  can  be  distinguished  from  cavalry.     At  2,000 
vards  a  man,  or  even  a  horse,  looks  like  a  mere  speck  or  dot. 

Individual  practice  should  be  encouraged  by  all  officers,  and  particularly  in  the 
:ase  of  the  National  Guard,  to  whom  every  inducement  should  be  made  to  visit 
I  my  available  range  for  private  practice.  To  prevent  accidents  and  insure  the  en- 
torcement  of  the  prescribed  rules,  every  man  should  be  required  to  enter  his  name 
m  arriving  at  the  range;  those  men  who  are  the  first  to  arrive  should  have  the 
"ight  to  determine  the  distance  at  which  they  wish  to  fire.  As  the  men  arrive, 
hey  will  form  themselves  into  squads,  each  squad  electing  a  captain,  who  will 
ceep  the  score  and  enforce  the  rules  of  the  range.  All  arriving  subsequently  are 
,0  obey  his  orders.  If  no  markers  or  look-out  men  are  employed,  each  captain 
.nust  make  a  detail  from  his  squad  for  such  purposes,  and  see  that  those  detailed 
:.re  properly  relieved.  The  firing  is  to  be  conducted  according  to  the  principles 
bove  laid  down,  and  every  shot  fired  in  rear  of  the  firing  point,  whether  accident- 


110  AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 

ally  or  otherwise,  unless  fired  into  the  pit  provided  for  the  purpose,  shall  be  en^ 
tered  as  a  miss.  The  men  last  at  the  ground  must  see  that  the  danger  flag  is 
hauled  down,  and  the  appurtenances  belonging  to  the  range  replaced  where  they 
belong,  or  returned  to  the  keeper.  Practice  upon  the  range  is  only  intended  to 
find  out  and  apply  what  has  been  learned  at  drill,  and  acquire  a  practical  knowl- 
edge of  elevations  and  the  allowances  required  for  wind  and  weather.  In  all  cases, 
therefore,  extreme  deliberation  should  be  used.  No  advantage  is  gained  by  firing 
more  than  lo  shots  at  a  distance;  and  the  habit  beginners  have  of  expending  aii 
the  ammunition  they  can  procure  as  fast  as  possible,  is  a  positive  detriment.  Eacii 
shot  should  be  fired  with  a  definite  purpose,  and  its  results  noted  and  remembered. 
The  captain  of  each  squad,  or  of  a  team,  should  give  special  attention  to  this  sub- 
ject, as  not  only  will  the  expense  of  the  practice  be  greatly  reduced,  but  the  quality 
of  the  shooting  greatly  improved. 

The  first  point  to  consider  in  regard  to  a  range  is  its  safety,  and  too  much  pains 
cannot  be  taken  in  the  selection  of  the  ground  in  order  to  protect  the  public  from 
danger,  as  well  as  to  prevent  unnecessary  expense  in  the  erecting  of  butts,  etc. 
While  it  is  impossible  to  lay  down  precise  rules  for  every  feature  of  a  country,  the 
following  suggestions  will  be  found  sufficient  under  ordinary  circumstances.  No 
ground  is  to  be  selected  which  does  not  afford  a  range  of  at  least  300  yards,  and  it 
is  most  important  that  the  ground  behind  the  targets  should  be  thoroughly  com- 
manded from  certain  points  sufficiently  clear  of  the  line  of  fire  to  insure  safety  to 
the  look-out  men  who  are  to  be  placed  there  in  order  that  the  fire  may  be  easily 
stopped  when  necessary ;  hence  a  range  down  hill  is  generally  to  be  preferred,  as 
being  more  easily  commanded  to  one  uphill.  The  targets  upon  a  range  should, 
where  the  ground  permits,  be  established  by  pairs,  with  an  interval  not  less  than 
10  yards  between  each  target,  and  with  a  margin  of  at  least  40  yards  at  the  sides; 
the  minimum  breadth  of  ground  for  a  pair  of  targets  should  be  90  yards,  and  all 
the  targets  should  be  on  the  same  line.  When,  however,  the  number  to  be  exer- 
cised in  rifle  practice  is  large,  and  the  breadth  of  ground  limited,  a  number  of 
targets  may  be  established,  with  an  interval  of  10  yards  between  each,  to  be  used 
as  if  for  a  pair,  a  margin  being  left  at  the  sides  of  the  outer  targets  of  at  least 
40  yards.  In  these  cases  the  number  of  each  target  should  be  conspicuously  placed 
upon  the  butt  in  rear  of  it  so  as  to  be  plainly  seen  from  the  firing  point,  and  the 
firing  should  be  stopped  at  all  the  targets  whenever  the  danger  signal  is  shown 
at  any  target  within  40  yards.  The  breadth  of  ground  in  rear  of  the  target  at 
each  side  of  the  outer  ranges,  should  gradually  increase  from  40  to  80  yards,  in 
those  cases  when  the  ranges  are  parallel ;  but  when  they  converge  toward  the 
targets,  the  breadth  may  or  ma}'  not  be  required,  according  (o  the  degree  to  which 


il 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 


111 


the  ranges  are  made  to  converge.  The  distances  at  the  targets  must  never  be 
less  than  lO  yards  between  ranges  in  pairs,  and  80  yards  between  pairs  of  ranges, 
whether  they  are  laid  out  parallel  to  each  other  or  converge  toward  the  targets. 
If  no  butts  are  erected,  and  the  ground  is  level,  the  space  behind  the  targets  should 
be  about  1,500  yards.  A  less  distance  may,  however,  answer,  if  butts  are  erected, 
or  if  a  steep  hill  rises  in  rear  of  the  targets.  Before  steps  are  taken  to  procure 
grounds  for  ranges,  it  is  essential  to  secure  the  right  to  fire  over  the  land  behind 
the  targets  to  the  extent  required,  should  it  not  be  desirable  to  purchase  it.  Gen- 
erallv  this  distance  cannot  be  obtained,  and  a  butt  must  be  erected  in  rear  of  the 


'Hup 


mmWV, 


^4' 


-4 


LYMAN  TARGET  FOR  RAPID  FIRING 


.  targets,  to  arrest  stray  shots.     The  height  of  this  must  differ  according  to  the 

,  nature  of  the  background.     If  the  range  be  on  a  plain,  the  regulation  size  of  the 

1  butts  is  from  35  to  40  feet  high,  provided  the  distance  behind  the  target  is  less 

^than  1,500  yards.    Under  ordinary  circumstances,  however,  the  height  of  the  butt 

need  not  be  more  than  20  feet,  and  when  firing  toward  water  a  butt  of  12  feet 

j  in  height  will  be  sufficient.    On  some  ground  there  are  found  natural  butts  for  the 

^targets  to  rest  against.    To  be  of  use  in  stopping  stray  bullets  and  thereby  insure 

the  safety  of  the  public,  the  hill  should  incline  45  degrees,  at  least;  if  a  smaller 

angle  than  this,  it  would,  instead  of  acting  as  a  stop,  incur  the  chance  of  a  rico- 


112  AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 

chet,  and  therefore  be  unsafe.    A  few  furrows  from  a  plough  will  requently  lessen 
the  chances  of  ricochets.     The  length  of  the  butt  for  a  pair  of  targets  should  not 
be  less  than  45  feet,  measured  along  the  top.     They  are  far  inferior  to  natural 
obstacles,  and  are  expensive  to  erect  and  keep  in  repair.    The  number  of  each  tar- 
get should  be  placed  on  the  butt  directly  over  it  in  large  figures,  so  as  to  be  con- 
spicuous from  the  firing  points.    Where  there  are  a  number  of  targets  these  num- 
bers should  be  painted  red  and  black  alternately.     At  long  ranges  Roman  figures, 
made  by  laying  rails  on  the  butt,  are  more  easily  discerned  than  numerals.     In 
crowded  localities,  where  the  range  is  short,  and  the  danger  of  injury  to  the  pub- 
lic great,  a  series  of  shields  or  screens  may  be  thrown  across  the  practice  ground 
at  different  distances  containing  apertures  of  such  a  height  and  width  as  to  per- 
mit the  passage  of  all  properly  directed  bullets,  and  to  arrest  random  shots.    These 
are  sometimes  high  arches  of  cast-iron,  and  sometimes  upright  barriers  of  stout 
plank.     Two  or  three  sheds  with  plank  roofs,  made  to  slope  tozuard  the  target, 
form  a  cheap  and  convenient  screen,  provided  the  ground  between  them  is  fur- 
rowed so  as  to  prevent  the  ricocheting  of  the  bullets  which  strike  the  sheds  and 
glance  downwards.    In  the  longer  ranges,  these  shields  are  objectionable,  not  only 
because  the  high  trajectory  of  the  bullet  makes  it  difficult  to  place  them  properly, 
but  because  they  confine  the  firing  to  a  single  distance,  and  render  the  appearance 
of  the  target  as  visible  through  the  apertures  so  dififerent  from  what  it  presents  in 
the  "open"  as  to  deprive  those  using  them  of  many  of  the  advantages  that  should 
be  derived  from  target  practice,  and  particularly  from  acquiring  a  practical  knowl- 
edge of  distance.     If  care  be  taken  that  none  be  allowed  to  practice  with  ball  who 
have  not  been  through  a  course  of  "position  and  ai}ning  drill/'  the  danger  of  ran- 
dom firing  will  be  reduced  to  a  minimum,  and  the  prescribed  butt  be  found  ampl\ 
sufficient  for  all  practical  purposes.    Every  range  is  to  be  carefully  and  accurate!  v 
measured,  and  the  distances  defined  by  a  line  of  small  pe^s.  at  intervals  of  50 
yards,  commencing  at  100  yards  from  the  target,  and  continuing  to  900  yards,  or 
to  the  extent  of  the  ground,  if  under  that  distance.     These  pegs    also    serve    as 
guides  to  ])revcnt  firing  on  a  wrong  target — a  fruitful  source  of  accidents.     To 
avoid  the  sun.  the  targets  must  be  placed  at  the  northern  end  of  the  range:  or  if 
that  is  not  ]>racticable,  at  the  eastern.     In  using  the  ranges  the  firing  parties  com- 
mence their  practice  close  to  the  targets  and  gradually  retire.     Consequently,  as 
there  is  not  likely  to  be  as  much  practice  at  the  extremely  long  ranges  as  at  the 
shorter  ones,  a  piece  of  ground,  of  a  triangular  shape  may  be  selected  for  an  ex- 
tensive range,  the  targets  being  placed  at  the  broadest  part,  and  the  firing  points 
being  reduced  as  the  distance  is  increased.     Several  flag-staflFs  should  be  placed 
in  such  positions  upon  the  range  as  to  make  the  danger  signal  conspicuous. 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS        ,  113 

RIFLE  TELESCOPES. 

While  the  application  of  the  telescope  to  the  rifle  is  by  no  means  a  new  idea,  it 
is,  hoavever,  more  necessary  in  this  age  of  high-power  rifles,  whose  killing 
ranges  are  beyond  the  accurate  perception  of  the  unaided  vision.  It  is,  there- 
fore, obvious  that  the  application  of  the  telescope  to  arms  of  this  type  renders 
them  at  once  serviceable  to  the  extreme  limit  of  their  power.  The  universal 
employment  of  smokeless  powder  in  all  guns  of  this  sort  has  opened  the  way 
to  the  adaptation  of  the  telescope  to  them.  A  great  advantage  gained  m 
using  the  telescope  in  shooting  is  the  elimination  of  the  opaque  or  metallic  for- 
ward sight,  which  increases  in  apparent  diameter  as  the  distance  between  the 
marksman  and  the  target  increases,  often  more  than  covering  the  entire  object  at 
long  ranges. 

The  principle  of  the  rifle  telescope  is  the  same  as  that  employed  by  the  sur- 
veyor, who,  through  the  medium  of  his  telescope,  equipped  as  it  is  with  delicate 
cross-hairs,  is  enabled  to  make  accurate  observations  when  sighting  upon  objects 
at  great  distances.  To  be  of  value,  the  telescope  must  be  both  water  and 
dust  proof  and  always  in  focus  for  any  range;    the  field  of  vision  large,  flat  and 


Figure  i. 

clearly  ;illuminated  throughout;  the  cross^hairs  must  intersect  one  anotlier 
at  the  exact  center  of  the  illuminated  field  and  be  sharply  defined.  The  mount- 
ings securing  it  to  the  gun  should  be  universally  adjustable,  and  so  made  that 
repeated  firing  with  heavy  charges  will  not  jar  the  telescope,  or  in  any  wise  alter 
its  relationship  with  the  bore  of  the  gun,  and  yet  leave  no  parts  protruding  to 
catch  the  clothing  or  underbrush.  The  telescope  must  be  so  mounted  upon  the 
gun  that  it  can  be  set  quickly  and  easily  for  the  required  ranges  and  to  compensate 
for  errors  due  to  wind. 

I  he  fact  that  these  telescopes  are  practically  universal  in  focus  renders  it 
possible  for  those  who  in  a  moderate  degree  are  either  near  or  far  sighted  to 
use  them  perfectly  without  the  presence  of  glasses.  Those  after  big  game  in 
the  mountains  or  on  the  plains,  where  distances  are  great,  will  find  the  telescope 


114 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 


invaluable  in  locating  and  killing  it, :  the  wide,  clear  field  allowing  great  range 
in  sighting  moving  objects.  The  different  varieties  magnify  from  three  and 
one-half  to  twenty  diameters,  and  have  such  marked  illumination  that  in  feeble 
and  uncertain  light  objects  which  would  otherwise  escape  the  notice  are  quite 
distinctly  seen.  Objects  invisible  to  the  naked  eye  after  dusk  are  thus  rendered 
clearly  visible.      For  target  shooting  with  the  modern,  high-power  guns  at  long 


S 


Figure  2. 

range,  the  stronger  powers  are  most  suitable,  while  for  hunting,  the  lower  ones 
are  preferable. 

The  telescope  mounted  on  the  United  States  military  rifle — the  Krag-Jor- 
gensen — does  not  consist  solely  of  a  corrected  objective  and  a  simple  glass  eye- 
piece, but  contains  a  thoroughly  corrected  achromatic  objective  and  complete 
achromatic  eyepiece  as  well,  which  features  fully  develop  the  optical  properties 
of  the  glass  and  give  to  the  telescope  an  exceptionally  large,  flat  and  fully  illu- 
minated field,  together  with  a  remarkable  long  focal  relief.  The  lenses  forming 
the  achromatic  refracting  systems  are  all  made  from  the  highest  quality  of  optical 


Figure  3. 

glass,  and  so  ground  and  arranged  as  to  admit  of  no  loss  of  light,  thereby 
greatly  increasing  the  illumination  and  definition.  The  non-breakable  cross-hairs 
are  placed  exactly  within  the  focus  of  the  eye  lens  of  the  eyepiece  and  are  dis- 
tinctly seen  under  all  conditions.  All  of  the  lenses  are  securely  burnished  into 
their  cells,  which  are  held  in  such  a  manner  as  to  prevent  the  slightest  movement 
from  the  sharpest  recoil. 

The  Cataract  Tool  and  Optical  Company  make  three  styles  of  mountings,  two 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS  115 

side  and  one  center,  all  of  which  are  adjustable,  and  are  designed  for  holding 
the!  telescope  either  directly  upon  the  top  of  the  gun  or  on  the  left  side,  as  re- 
quired. The  side  mountings  can  be  used  on  any  style  of  rifle ;  the  top  or  central 
mountings  on  single-shot,  breech-loading  rifles  and  those  which  eject  on  the  side. 
When  the  side  mounting  is  used,  the  open  or  Lyman  sights  need  not  be  removed ; 
but  when  the  central  mounting  is  used,  other  sights  must  be  taken  off.  By  the 
introduction  of  the  ball  and  socket  ring  a  reliable  means  for  attaching  the  tel- 
escope to  the  gun  has  been  perfected.  Heretofore  various  imperfect  devices  used 
for  this  purpose  were  a  serious  drawback  to  the  employment  of  the  telescope,  in- 
asmuch as  none  of  them  would  admit  of  universal  adjustment  without  cramping 
in  some  parts,  and,  as  a  result,  the  telescope  would  quickly  alter  its  position  with 
relation  to  the  gun  after  firing  a  few  times,  no  matter  how  tightly  the  binding 
screws  might  be  set  up.      These  mountings  hold  the  telescope  close  to  the  gun, 


Figure  4. 

giving  extreme  rigidity  and  wide  range  of  adjustment,  together  with  a  compact 
and  symmetrical  appearance.  In  mounting  the  telescope  on  the  top  of  barrel, 
the  telescope  is  made  to  exceed  the  length  of  the  gun  barrel,  irrespective  of  the 
power.  Thus  the  forward  end  of  the  rifle  does  not  obstruct  the  view  when  the 
telescope  is  raised  for  increased  ranges.  On  the  top-ejecting  and  most  repeating 
rifles  the  telescopes  are  mounted  on  left  side  of  gun,  and'  when  thus  mounted  any 
lube  length  may  be  used  in  keeping  with  power  required,  for  in  elevating  the  tele- 
scope for  increased  ranges  the  gun  barrel  does  not,  in  this  instance,  come  into 
view.  Telescopes  mounted  in  this  way  are  more  compact,  lighter  and  more  easily 
adjusted,  and  admit  of  the  use  of  regular  sights  also.  Figures  i,  2  and  3  show 
the  telescope  mounted  on  the  German  Mauser  sporting  rifle,  the  Winchester  maga- 
zine rifle  45-90,  and  Savage  sporting  rifle,  respectively.      Figure  4  shows  the  rear 


ne  AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 

mounting,  designed  for  holding  the  telescope  upon  the  side  of  the  rifle  as  close  as 
possible.  It  allows  for  elevation  for  increased  ranges,  by  means  of  a  micromter 
screw  graduated  to  1-600  of  an  inch.  The  front  mounting  allows  for  windage 
adjustment  by  means  of  the  same  form  of  micrometer  screw  graduated  to  1-600 
of  an  inch. 

The  Duplex  rifle  telescopes,  manufactured  by  Lawson  C.  Cummins,  ]\Iont- 
pelier,  Vt.,  in  different  styles,  suitable  for  use  on  any  model  of  rifle,  are  highly 
prized  by  sportsmen.  They  are  achromatic,  in  seamless  browned  steel  tubes,  with 
steel  hangings  that  confine  them  closely  and  firmly  to  the  rifle  barrel,  the  elevations 
being  obtained  by  adjusting  the  cross-line  with  a  thumb-screw.  The  wind-gauge 
consists  of  a  vertical  line  adjustable  by  a  thumb-screw.  A  central  point  is  placed 
at  the  top  of  the  field  of  vision.  When  no  wind  or  mirage  exists  the  vertical 
line  is  set  at  this  central  point,  but  when  the  target  shows  that  the  bullet  is  being 
deflected  by  gravity  and  atmospheric  conditions,  while  the  central  point  is  on  the 
bull's-eye,  set  the  vertical  line  to  the  point  of  deflection  and  the  correction  is 
exact.      With  this  telescope  the  balance  of  the  rifle  is  not  perceptibly  changed, 


Figure  5. 

the  symmetrical  appearance  of  the  arm  is  unimpaired,  the  fragility  not  increased. 
The  microscopic  vision  of  the  sight  avoids  all  blur  and  dift'raction  which  arc  for- 
ever brooding  on  metallic  sights,  and  the  telescopic  view  of  the  game  or  target, 
almost  annihilating  distance,  makes  the  directing  of  a  rifle  shot  a  simple  act,  per- 
formed with  ease  and  certainty.  The  signal  advantages  of  these  telescopes  over 
many  others  consist  in  the  sustantial  nature  of  the  telescope  itself,  and  in  its  rigid 
attachments  to  the  rifle  barrel,  its  wide  field  of  vision  and  high  illumination, 
making  it  easy  to  do  accurate  work  in  a  light  so  dim  that  nothing  at  all  can  be 
done  with  any  open  sight.  Figure  5  shows  a  rifle  mounted  with  an  18-inch, 
achromatic,  duplex  telescope  sight.  A  practical  method  of  setting  the  telescope 
where  no  special  tools  are  at  hand,  is  this :  Place  the  rifle  in  a  vise  and  arrange 
a  blank  bullseye  on  a  white  ground  about  thirty  yards  in  front ;  have  the  bullseye 
almost,  but  not  quite,  as  large  as  the  field  vision  through  the  rifle  bore,  and  place  a 
white  center,  one-fourth  of  an  inch  in  diameter,  on  it.  Point  the  bore  of  the  rifle 
exactly  at  this  bullseye;  now  place  the  hangings  on  the  telescope,  and  be  sure  to 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS  117 

put  the  one  with  the  lightest  base  in  front,  and  turn  the  screws  just  barely  sufficient 
to  hold  the  telescope  in  position.  Now  place  the  hangings  containing  the  telescope 
on  top  of  the  barrel  and  mark  the  position  for  the  slots  and  look  through  the  tele- 
scope. If  the  fixed  globe  on  the  vertical  line  points  at  same  height  as  the  white 
center  in  bullseye,  cut  the  slots  of  equal  depth ;  if  it  points  above,  cut  the  front  slot 
deepest;  if  below,  cut  rear  slot  deepest.  To  ascertain  how  much,  put  a  slip  of 
metal  under  one  hanging  just  sufficient  to  cause  the  globe  to  point  at  the  white 
center  and  use  it  for  the  difference  gauge.  Care  must  be  taken  in  filing  the  slots 
to  secure  a  nice  fit  and  have  both  hangings  in  line.  When  the  hangings  are  set  in 
the  barrel,  insert  the  telescope  and  arrange  it  so  that  the  vertical  line  exactly  cor- 
responds with  a  plumb  line  in  front  and  pinch  it  with  the  two  screws  in  the  rear 
hanging.  While  it  is  thus  held  in  this  position,  bore  and  tap  the  holes  in  the  front 
end  of  telescope  and  insert  the  screws  through  the  front  hangings  and  the  work  is 
complete.  It  sometimes  happens  that  rather  steady  shooting  rifles  do  not  shoot 
where  the  bore  points ;  and  should  occasion  require  the  changing  of  the  direction 
of  the  telescope  after  being  set,  it  is  better  to  move  the  rear  hanging,  which  should 
be  fitted!  very  close  in  the  slot,  as  the  barrel  being  heavy  at  that  point  gives  it 
strength  for  a  stronger  grip  than  further  forward.  The  hangings  should  be  placed 
as  far  apart  as  is  consistent  with  surrounding  circumstances.  All  rifles  shoot 
under  the  point  at  which  the  bore  is  aimed  considerably  more  than  the  fall  of  the 
ball  from  gravity.  This  is  owning  to  the  crook  in  the  stock  and  other  reasons, 
but  in  this  matter  each  rifle  has  its  own  peculiar  habit.  Perhaps  an  approximate 
average  of  a  seven  pound,  32-40-165  rifle  would  be  three  inches  at  thirty  yards, 
and  if  it  is  desired  to  use  the  fixed  globe  for  short-range  shooting  it  is  well  to 
make  allowance  when  setting  the  telescope.  However,  that  is  not  material,  as  the 
cross-line  is  adjustable  both  above  and  below  the  globe.  By  raising  or  lowering 
the  checknut  on  the  elevating  thumbscrew,  the  tension  may  be  adjusted  to  suit  any 
taste.  The  focus  thumbscrew  should  be  screwed  in  very  tight  to  prevent  the  recoil 
from  slipping  the  glass  out  of  focus. 

An  excellent  telescope  sight  manufactured  by  the  Julius  King  Optical  Company 
of  New  York,  shown  in  Figure  6,  is  made  in  three  styles  and  is  optically  arranged 
to  be  always  in  focus  for  objects  distant  from  10  to  5,000  yards,  rendering  them 
perfectly  clear  and  distinct.  The  field  presented  to  view  is  unusually  wide,  clear 
and  flat,  allowing  wide  range  in  sighting  running  game.  The  focus  is  such  that 
objects  are  only  visible  through  it  when  the  eye  of  the  shooter  is  at  about  two  and 
one-half  inches  from  the  eye  piece;  this  prevents  any  injury  to  the  eye  from  the 
recoil  of  the  gun,  and  docs  away  with  the  old-fashioned  slide.  The  lenses  are  ac- 
curately ground,  centered,  and,  together  with  the  cross-hairs,  are  mounted  in 
brass  cells,  which  are  held  at  proper  distances  from  one  another  by  seamless  brass 


118 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 


tubing  which  is  then  inserted  and  screwed  from  both  ends  into  a  blued  steel  tube 
fourteen  inches  long  and  seva.-eighths  of  an  inch  in  diameter,  making  the  sight 
dust   light  and  waterproof.     The  objective  is  thoroughly  achromatic  throughout 


Figure  6. 

and  is  placed  one  and  one-half  inches  back  from  the  forward  opening  of  the  steel 
casing,  to  protect  it  from  the  danger  of  being  broken  and  from  oblique  rays  of 
light,  making  the  telescope  both  a  day  and  night  glass.  The  mountings  employed 
in  fastening  the  telescope  to  the  gun  are  designed  for  attaching  it  to  the  center  or 
side  of  the  barrel,  the  latter  being  most  frequently  usd  to  admit  of  the  use  of  the 
open,  Lyman,  or  telescopic  sight.  The  mountings  are  adjustable  so  that  the  gim 
may  be  quickly  and  accurately  sighted  to  any  desired  range.  This  telescope  sight 
magnifies  an  object  and  makes  it  appear  from  four  to  twenty  times  larger  than  it 
really  is.  The  result  is  obvious.  They  have  such  fine  illumination  that  an  object 
is  distinctly  seen  in  feeble  and  uncertain  light  that  otherwise  would  be  practically 
invisible  to  the  naked  eye. 

The  Malcolm  rifle  telescope,  manufactured  by  the  Malcolm  Rifle   Telescope 
Manufacturing  Co.,  Syracuse,  N.  Y.,  and  shown  in  Figure  7,  attached  to  a  Win- 


CJ)     (J3    (|)     (p   0 


6  SHOTS  AT    100  EEET 


Figure  7. 


Chester  rifle,  is  made  of  all  grades,  high  or  low  power,  long  or  short  tubes. 
Special  attention  is  given  to  the  construction  of  short  glasses,  from  12  to  20  inches. 
They  are  made  of  two  sized  tubing,  neatly  joining  the  two  sizes  together,  thereby 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS  119 

getting  a  larger  tube  in  front  for  a  large  obstructive  and  a  smaller  tube  in  rear 
for  the  eye  piece.  In  so  doing  we  not  only  produce  a  neat  looking  telescope,  but 
also  gain  otherwise,  in  producing  a  very  large  field  with  sufficient  light  for  the 
o-lass  to  be  used  in  very  dark  days  and  in  all  kinds  of  places,  such  as  dense  woods 
and  other  dark  places,  making  it  an  excellent  hunting  sight.  There  is  an  unique 
arrangement  with  these  glasses.  It  consists  in  cutting  two  slots  at  the  rear  end 
of  the  glass  to  adjust  and  correctly  focus  the  cross-hair.  In  looking  through 
the  glass  at  an  object,  observe  whether  the  cross-hairs  are  perfectly  stationary  or 
whether  they  move  when  you  shift  your  eye  up  or  down.  If  perfectly  stationary 
they  are  in  correct  focus  with  your  eye.  If  they  move  you  must  unloosen  both 
little  screws  which  hold  the  cross-hair  setting,  and  move  the  setting  forward  or 
the  other  way  until  you  strike  the  proper  spot  where  the  cross-hair  stands  still 
and  without  any  motion.  No  matter  how  much  you  shift  your  eye,  tighten  down 
the  screws  and  that  part  is  corrected.  Now,  to  focus  the  glass  correctly  for  dis- 
tance, the  other  single  slot  in  the  glass  indicates  where  that  is  done;  by  unloosen- 
ing the  screw  the  object  lense  setting  can  be  shifted  forward  and  back,  as  the 
case  may  require.  The  glass  only  needs  adjustment  for  distances  less  than  50 
yards ;  beyond  50  yards,  no  alteration  is  necessary  except  in  glasses  of  very  high 
power,  which  require  focusing  for  almost  any  change  in  distance.  These  glasses 
are  made  to  fit  all  prominent  rifles. 

An  excellent  rifle  telescope,  manufactured  by  L.  N.  Mogg,  Marcellus,  N.  Y., 
and  shown  in  Figure  8,  on  the  Savage  rifles,  has  the  split  sleeve,  and  its  advan- 
tages are  that  it  gives  more  adjustability  and  allows  one  to  use  the  glass  on  dif- 


Figure  8. 

ferent  rifles  where  the  frame  differs  in  length.  If  a  change  is  desired  all  one  has 
to  do  is  to  loosen  two  screws  and  slide  the  sleeve,  then  tightened  up  where  it  is 
wanted.  The  principle  is  similar  to  the  "clutch"  used  in  transmitting  power. 
These  telescopes  are  made  adjustable  for  various  eyes.  Towards  the  front  is  a 
screw  in  a  slot  that  controls  the  object  lense,  and  by  loosening  that  it  can  be 
moved  to  accommodate  the  eye  of  the  young  or  aged  as  well  as  for  near  and  far 
distances.  Figure  9  shows  the  mounting,  with  the  split  sleeve  and  telescope  tube 
in  position.  Figure  10  shows  the  latest  style  of  split  sleeve  used  on  the  higher 
grades  of  telescopes. 


120 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 


The  John  \V.  Sidle  rifle  telescopes  have  been  conspicuously  to  the  front  since 
their  introduction  and  are  in  use  by  many  of  the  finest  rest  shots  of  the  country. 
Most  carefully  made  in  all  respects,  with  special  reference  to  rest  target  shooting, 
they  represent,  each  in  its  class,  the  very  highest  grade  of  achromatic  telescopes 
now  made.  In  illumination  and  sharpness  of  definition  they  leave  nothing  to  be 
desired.  The  "snap  shot"  telescope,  designed  mainly  for  hunting  purposes,  shown 
in  Figure  ii  on  a  repeating  rifle,  is  very  satisfactorily  used  in  the  deep  woods, 


Figure  9. 


Figure  10. 


and,  by  reason  of  its  large  field,  for  game  on  the  run.  These  qualifications,  adapt- 
ing it  particularly  to  hunting  and  ofif-hand  purposes,  have  deservedly  insured  its 
popularity,  and  they  are  in  use  in  great  numbers  by  hunters  of  all  kinds  of  game, 
from  the  squirrel  and  woodchuck  to  the  moose.  It  is  also  particularly  adapted 
to  off-hand  target  work  where  this  is  desirable. 


Figure  ii. 
The  Leopold  combination  snap  shot  telescope  is,  primarily,  a  first  class  huntiner 
sight,  but  includes  a  combination  of  interchangeable  object-glasses,  adapting  it  to 
rest  shooting  at  the  target,  and  when  fitted  with  the  higher  power,  about  nine 
diameters,  it  will  spot  shots  at  all  ranges  up  to  200  yards.  When  the  short  focu*: 
object-glass  is  used,  the  power  is  three  diameters. 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS  121 

SIGHTING  RIFLES. 

On  most  loniT^-rang-e  rifles,  the  rear  is  made  with  a  vernier  scale  operated  by  a 
screw,  by  which  an  alteration  of  one-hundreth  of  an  inch,  and  even  of  half  that 
amount,  can  be  made  in  the  elevation,  the  result  being  exact,  and  recorded  in 
figures — the  only  way  in  which  a  correct  record  of  elevations  can  be  kept.  On 
the  Remington  rifle  the  divisions  on  the  vernier  are  termed  degrees  and  minutes, 
and  on  the  Sharps  decimals  of  an  inch.  On  the  former  each  minute  is  1-92  of 
an  inch,  and  corresponds  upon  a  34-inch  barrel  wilh  i  1-18  of  an  inch,  at  each 
100  yards.  On  the  Sharps  rifle  each  sub-division  is  i-ioo  of  an  inch,  correspond- 
ing theoretically  to  i  1-2  inch  to  every  one  hundred  yards.  As  no  man  can  hold 
or  sight  a  rifle  at  1,000  yards  within  ten  inches,  the  elevation  on  both  rifles  is 

[i  practically  the  same,  or  about  two  inches  to  each  100  yards  for  each  sub-division 
on  the  vernier  that  is,  twenty  inches  at  1,000  yards.     The  sub-divisions  upon  the 

i     wind-gauge  of  both  the  Remington  and  Sharps  rifles  are  about  1-40  of  an  inch, 

i     and  are  equivalent  in  practice  to  two  inches  at  each  100  yards,  or  20  inches  at 

I     1,000  yards,  on  the  34-inch  barrel. 

j  As  the  errors  incident  to  aiming  at  long  range  will,  in  most  cases,  increase  the 
effect  of  any  alteration  in  the  sights,  care  should  be  taken  to  keep  well  within  the 

1    elevations  which  would  be  mathematically  correct.     It  must  also  be  recollected 

MID-RANGE  HEIGHT  Or  TRAJECTORY  TARrrT 


k — 

that  the  velocity  of  a  bullet  decreases  with  the  distance,  and  as  it  loses  its  velocity 
it  becomes  more  likely  to  be  affected  by  currents  of  air.  Consequently  the  effect 
of  any  change  upon  the  sights  is  greater  proportionately  at  long  than  at  short 
range.  The  effect  of  wdnd,  etc.,  increases  in  a  still  greater  proportion,  that  which 
would  require  an  alteration  of  2  points  in  the  elevation  at  800  yards,  requiring 
21-2  at  900,  and  3  at  1,000.  The  proportions  of  the  trajectory  represented  in 
the  above  sketch  are  exaggerated  with  respect  to  the  size  of  the  rifle.  In  estimat- 
ing the  carrying  power  of  any  bullet,  it  is  customary  to  give,  as  the  measure  of 
its  trajectory,  the  mid-range  height  of  the  bullet  above  the  straight  line  from  the 
muzzle  of  the  rifle  to  the  point  where  it  strikes  the  target.  The  best  riflemen  pre- 
fer to  have  the  peep-hole  of  the  rear  sight  of  considerable  size,  as  affording  more 
light,  and  consequently  allowing  a  better  sight  to  be  taken.  In  the  iMetford  rear 
sight,  discs  having  different  sized  apertures  may  be  used ;  and  it  has  been  stated 
by  some  of  the  Irish  team  that  they  have,  in  foggy  or  dark  weather,  done  good 
shooting  by  removing  the  disc  entirely,  so  as  to  leave  an  aperture  of  nearly  a 
quarter  of  an  inch.  Every  rifleman  should,  therefore,  have  an  extra  disc,  with  a 
large  aperture,  to  use  in  dusky  weather.    The  vernier  sight  is  usuall\-  placed  upon 


122  AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 

the  small  of  the  stock.  General  Dakin  and  others  who  shoot  on  their  backs,  have 
it  placed  upon  the  heel  of  the  butt.  When  the  latter  is  the  case,  it  makes  the  dis- 
tance between  the  two  sights  nearly  a  third  greater  than  when  placed  upon  the 
small  of  the  stock,  and  consequently  a  proportionately  greater  allowance  both  for 
elevation  and  wind  will  be  required. 

In  order  to  acquire  a  correct  manner  of  aiming  with  the  various  sights  adapted 
the  following  directions  given  for  \\'inchester  repeating  and  single  shot  rifles 
should  be  observed :  The  rifle  should  be  held  with  its  butt  placed  firmly  against 
the  shoulder,  yet  not  so  tightly  as  to  cause  any  nuiscular  strain  or  tremor,  and  its 
muzzle  brought  to  point  in  the  direction  of  the  target,  but  somewhat  below  the 
bull's-eye;  care  being  taken  to  keep  the  sights  perfectlv  upright.  The  center  of 
the  notch  in  the  rear  sight  should  then  be  brought  into  direct  alignment  with  the 
front  sight ;  and  when  correctly  held  the  tip  of  the  front  sight  should  appear  about 
1-32  of  an  inch  above  the  bottom  of  the  notch  of  the  rear  sight,  or  so  much  as  may 
be  distinctly  seen  without  blurring.  With  a  bead  or  pin-head  front  sight  the  whole 
of  the  bead  should  be  seen.  Keeping  the  sights  in  this  same  relative  position,  the 
muzzle  of  the  rifle  should  be  raised  until  the  tip  of  the  front  sight  reaches  the 
bottom  edge  of  the  bull's-eye,  but  does  not  quite  touch  it ;  a  small  space  interven-  } 
ing  just  perceptible  to  the  eye  without  straining.  With  aperture  front  sights,  the 
aperture  in  the  bead  should  "ring"  the  bull's-eye,  allowing  a  thin  white  ring  to 
show  equally  around  the  bull's-eye. 

When  using  a  graduated  peep  rear  sight  of  the  Winchester  or  Lyman  pattern,  i 
the  front  sight  should  be  held  on  the  bull's-eye  in  the  same  manner  as  described 
above,  the  difference  being  that  the  front  sight  only  is  seen,  the  eye  being  held 
as  nearly  as  possible  to  the  center  of  the  hole  in  the  rear  sight.  These  peep  rear  I 
sights  are  customarily  fastened  to  the  tang  of  the  rifle,  or  to  its  receiver;  and, 
as  most  of  the  V  notched  rear  sights  stand  so  high  from  the  rifle  barrel  as  to  inter- 
fere with  a  clear  view  through  the  hole  in  the  peep  sight,  it  is  recommended  that 
they  be  removed  whenever  a  peep  rear  sight  is  put  on  the  rifle,  and  replaced  with 
a  blank  piece  especially  made  for  this  purpose. 

A  variation  in  the  position  of  the  grouping  of  shots  upon  the  target,  due  to  a 
difference  in  the  manner  of  holding  the  sights,  is  often  found  to  exist  among 
shooters.  This  is  sometimes  caused  by  imperfect  vision:  astigmatism,  far-sighted- 
ness, or  near-sightedness.  Astigmatism,  or  defective  eyesight  due  to  a  spoon-  ; 
shaped  form  of  the  lens  of  the  eye,  and  which  causes  lines  in  certain  tlirections  to  ^ 
be  seen  more  clearly  than  in  others,  will  distort  the  appearance  of  the  sights  in 
various  ways,  dependent  on  the  character  of  the  defect,  thus  ])roducing  an  incor- 
rect holding,  both  with  respect  to  lateral  alignment  and  elevation.  Far-sightednes> 
will  cause  a  blurring  of  the  rear  sight,  while  near-sightedness  will  affect  the  accu- 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS  123 

rate  drawing  of  the  front  sight  upon  the  bull's-eye.  It,  therefore,  sometimes  be- 
comes necessary  to  alter  the  alignment  of  the  sights  to  accommodate  the  rifle  to 
the  shooter's  own  manner  of  sighting.  When  this  is  done,  it  should  be  remem- 
bered, as  a  general  rule,  that,  however  the  adjustment  of  the  rear  sight  may  be 
changed,  the  effect  will  be  to  cause  the  rifle  to  shoot  in  the  direction  towards  which 
the  rear  sight  has  been  moved,  while  any  alteration  of  the  front  sight  produces  an 
opposite  effect.  For  example,  if  the  rear  sight  is  moved  towards  the  right,  the 
rifle  will  shoot  further  to  the  right  on  the  target ;  if  the  front  sight  is  moved  to- 
wards the  right,  the  rifle  will  shoot  to  the  left ;  if  the  front  sight  is  filed  off,  or  a 
lower  one  put  in  its  place,  it  will  cause  the  rifle  to  shoot  higher,  and  so  on.    This 


|g|.  ^ 


© 


rule  for  adjusting  sights  must  not  be  confounded  with  the  manner  of  drawing 
the  front  sight  in  the  rear  sight  notch  when  aiming,  for  in  that  case  the  higher  the 
tip  of  the  front  sight  is  held,  the  higher  will  be  the  grouping  of  the  shots  on  the 
target.  When  shooting  in  a  bright  light,  the  grouping  will  be  lower  than  on  a 
dark  or  cloudy  day.  It  will  be  found  advantageous,  when  using  an  ivory  bead  or 
other  light  colored  front  sight,  to  smoke  the  tin  with  a  match,  when  shooting  on  a 
bright  object.  When  firing  either  from  a  prone  or  kneeling  position,  a  rifle  shoots 
higher  than  when  shooting  from  a  standing  position.  To  alter  the  elevation  of 
the  sporting  rear  sight,  the  slide  on  the  front  of  the  horn  can  be  raised  or  lowered 
by  easing  the  adjusting  screw. 

The  graduated  scale  on  the  leaf  of  the  Winchester  peep  rear  sights  is  laid  off 
in  decimal  parts  of  an  inch,  having  no  reference  whatever  to  the  range,  and  can, 
therefore,  be  used  as  a  range-sight  only  after  the  rifle  has  been  targeted  at  the 
various  standard  ranges  and  the  reading  of  the  scale  noted  or  marked  on  the  leaf. 
The  vernier  on  the  mid-range  vernier  peep  sight,  enables  this  sight  to  be  adjusted 
to  the  one-hundredth  part  of  an  inch. 

All  front  sights,  rear  sights,  or  blanks  fitting  into  a  dovetailed  cut  in  the  barrel, 
should  be  driven  into  place  from  the  right-hand  side  of  the  barrel,  and  driven  out, 
If  necessary,  from  the  left.  IMuch  force,  or  a  heavy  blow,  should  never  be  resorted 
to,  as  the  sight  would  not  only  be  mutilated,  but  the  barrel  dented  or  thrown  out 
of  line  so  as  to  seriously  aft'ect  its  shooting.  If  it  is  found  that  the  sight  drives  in 
too  tightly,  its  base  may  be  sufficiently  reduced  by  careful  manipulation  with  a  fine 
file.  The  slot  in  the  barrel  should,  however,  never  be  enlarged.  If  the  sight  is  so 
loose  as  to  render  it  apt  to  be  jarred  out  of  place,  a  piece  of  thin  tissue  paper  may 
be  inserted  under  its  base  before  driving  it  in,  or  the  dovetail  on  its  base  may  be 


124  AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 

slightly  dented  near  its  center,  thus  throwing  up  a  burr  which  will  hold  the  sight 
in  place. 

Tne  Pope  rear  wind  gauge  and  elevating  sight  is  most  convenient  and  accurate. 
Wind  and  elevating  movements  are  entirely  separate,  so  moving  one  can  not  dis- 
turb the  other.  One  hole  movement  of  either  elevating  nuts  or  wind  screw  equals 
I  ijidi  0)1  a  200-yard  target.  The  two  elevating  nuts  are  operated  by  a  small  lever 
pin,  which  can  be  carried  in  the  head  of  the  sight,  or  worn  upon  the  watch  chain, 
as  i)refe:r'?d.  These  nuts  bind  against  opposite  sides  of  the  solid  frame,  therefore 
looseness  of  fit  from  wear  can  not  affect  the  accuracy  of  adjustment.  These  nuts 
are  usually  set  firmly,  so  they  can  not  be  accidentally  moved,  but  may  be  left  so 
as  to  move  with  the  fingers  if  desired.  The  wind  screw  dififers  from  the  ordinary 
construclion  by  passing  through  a  bearing  at  both  ends  of  the  frame  and  by  having 
a  shoulder  on  one  end  and  a  jam  nut  on  the  other;  when  wear  occurs,  all  that  is  ; 
nccessarv  to  correct  it  is  to  screw  the  nut  up  a  little  firmer,  filing  off  a  trifle  from  I 
end  of  screv.'  if  necessary. 

For  over  half  a  century  hunters  and  sportsmen  have  used  Buckhorn  sights  on 
their  rifles,  which  do  not  permit  of  any  side  adjustment  for  drift  or  windage,  while  j 
for  elevation  the  steps  are  very  coarse,  impossible  of  being  finely  adjusted.  Many 
rifles  are  condemned  by  shooters  because  they  do  not  get  satisfactory  results,  when 
in  most  cases  it  is  the  fault  of  the  sights  not  being  properly  aligned.  Every  user 
of  a  rifle  should  finally  adjust  the  sights  to  suit  his  own  eyesight  and  particular  , 
cartridge  he  intends  to  use.    However  carefully  rifles  may  be  sighted  and  adjusted 


in  the  factor}-,  it  is  a  well  known  fact  that  the  eyes  of  no  two  persons  are  focused 
exactly  alike,  therefore  to  secure  the  most  perfect  results  it  is  necessary  for  the    • 
user  himself  to  finally  adjust  his  sights.     The  Savage  Micrometer  Sight,  shown 
in  the  drawing,  is  the  invention  of  Arthur  W.  Savage,  the  inventor  of  the  Savage    ■. 
Rifle.     It  is  scientifically  designed,  being  the  result  of  much  practical   shooting 
experience.     Every  part  of  the  sight  is  well  constructed  of  the  finest  materials : 
strong  and  simple.     It  can  be  adjusted  in  any  direction  to  one  thousandths  of  an    • 
inch,  and  has  considerably  more  elevation  than  the  regular  Buckhorn  sights.     All    j 
adjustments  are  obtained  by  finely  threaded  screws,  this  being  the  only  perfect 
method  for  adjusting  sights.     It  is  constructed  for  Savage,  Winchester,  Marliii, 
Colt,  Remington,  and  all  rifles  having  a  rear  slot  in  the  barrel. 

The  inventions  in  sights  and  contrivances  for  more  accurately  sighting  shotguns 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 


125 


are  numerous.  The  Barger  sight,  which  in  a  measure,  revohitionizes  wing  shoot- 
ing, consists  of  a  steel  ring  or  aperture,  which  is  so  placed  upon  the  muzzle  of 
the  gun,  that  it  clearly  defines  the  killing  field  to  the  eye  of  the  sportsman.  When 
tlic  bird  is  visible  through  the  sight  and  is  not  out  of  range,  a  kill  should  be  a 
certainty.  A  charge  of  shot  at  a  distance  of  40  yards,  will  scatter  over  a  circular 
space  some  36  inches  in  diameter.  In  a  pattern  of  this  size,  it  will  be  found  that 
there  is  a  space  of  perhaps  30  inches  in  diameter,  in  which  the  shot  are  so  thick 
that  a  bird  at  any  point  in  this  30-inch  circle  cannot  escape.  This  sight  is  made 
of  such  size,  that  it  clearly  defines  this  killing  field  at  all  ranges.  In  other  words, 
the  killing  field  and  range  of  vision  through  the  sight  practically  coincide  at  all 
points.  A  gun  should  have  sufficient  elevation  at  the  breech  to  bring  the  entire 
killing  field  within  the  range  of  vision,  and  that  by  clearly  defining  this  killing 
field,  the  gun,  if  properly  charged,  is  at  its  maximum  efficiency.  For  it  is  evident 
that  if  half  the  charge  occupies  a  space  that  is  invisible  to  the  eye,  owing  to  the 
fact  that  it  is  obscured  by  the  muzzle  of  the  gun,  the  aiming  is  50  per  cent,  more 
difficult,  for  the  reason :  that  the  object  aimed  at  must  be  brought  into  the  visible 
or  upper  portion  of  the  killing  field.  The  only  way  to  determine  whether  or  not  a 
gun  has  the  proper  elevation  is  to  target  it.    The  following  simple  method  is  sug- 


gested: Remove  the  old  sight,  place  the  Barger  sight  in  position  half  an  inch 
from  the  muzzle,  being  careful  to  adjust  it  properly.  On  a  white  paper  target 
describe  a  circle  the  same  size  of  the  circle  exposed  through  the  sight  at  a  given 
distance ;  for  example :  if  the  sight  will  cover  a  circle  of  30  inches  in  diameter  at 
40  yards  range,  describe  a  circle  30  inches  in  diameter  for  that  distance,  or  one 
that  is  one-half  that  diameter  for  one-half  that  distance,  etc.  After  the  target  is  in 
position,  place  four  pieces  of  black  or  colored  paper  three  inches  in  diameter,  so 
that  they  will  just  touch  the  inner  side  of  the  circle,  one  at  the  top,  one  at  the 
\  bottom  and  one  at  either  side,  to  serve  as  a  guide  while  aiming.  Then,  at  the 
,  proper  distance  from  the  target,  rest  the  gun  and  make  sure  that  the  sight  sur- 
rounds all  the  colored  pieces  when  you  fire.  If  the  charge  is  evenly  distributed 
over  the  target,  with  the  thickest  portion  of  the  shot  at  or  near  the  center,  the  gun 
is  right  and  has  the  proper  elevation.  But  should  there  be  more  than  a  quarter 
of  the  charge  below  the  circle,  and  but  few  shot  in  the  upper  portion,  the  gun  is 
not  right,  and  the  elevation  should  be  corrected.     This  sight  can  be  used  on  guns 


126  AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 

with  low  breech  without  usin_<T  anj'  elevation  and  still  have  a  p^reat  advantage  over 
the  old  sight,  for  it  serves  as  a  guide  to  prevent  shooting  to  one  side,  gives  a  little 
more  elevation  owing  to  the  removal  of  the  old  sight  and  also  gives  an  unob- 
structed view  of  the  object  aimed  at.  This  sight  ranges  in  diameter  from  3-4  of 
an  inch  to  i  inch,  according  to  the  length  of  the  gun. 

FOULING. 

Every  sportsman  knows  the  value  of  keeping  his  gun  carefully  cleaned  and  in 
smooth  working  order.  No  gun  will  do  good  work  with  the  inside  of  the  barrel 
fouled  with  the  residuum  from  burned  powder,  and  rust-pitted  from  neglect  and 
failure  to  use  the  proper  cleaning  implements.  It  is  true  that  in  these  days  of 
nitro  and  high  powders  gun  barrels  are  not  so  greatly  affected  and  do  not  become 
so  heavily  clogged  with  residuum  as  when  the  cheaper  grades  of  black  powder 
were  in  such  universal  use.  There  is  no  explosive  made,  however,  that  will  not  to 
a  greater  or  less  extent  leave  its  coating  of  burned  substance  upon  the  highly 
polished  interior  of  a  gun  barrel ;  and  even  the  slightest  amount  of  residuum  so 
remaining,  retaining,  as  it  does,  chemical  properties  destructive  to  even  the  finest 
qualities  of  steel,  will  in  time  pit  and  rust  the  barrels.  The  sportsman  who  takes 
care  of  his  gun  as  carefully  as  he  would  take  care  of  his  watch  is  the  sportsman 
who  gets  the  best  work  out  of  it  and  whose  arm  will  serve  longest.  Neglect  or 
indifference  to  the  condition  in  which  a  gun  is  set  away  in  the  rack  after  a  days' 
shooting  will  affect,  not  only  the  Hfe  of  the  barrels,  but  their  shooting  qualities 
as  v.'ell.  Particularly  is  this  the  case  where  shore-bird  and  other  water-fowl  shoot- 
ing is  indulged  in.  Salt  or  damp  air  will  always  affect  metal  disastrously,  un- 
less measures  are  taken  to  protect  the  metal  against  it ;  and  where  the  evil  effects 
of  burned  powder  residuum  is  increased  by  moist  or  salt  atmosphere,  the  effect 
upon  gun  barrels  is  much  more  rapid  and  destructive. 

The  interior  of  a  rifle  barrel  will  yield  more  readily  to  the  chemical  effects  of 
residuum  from  burned  powder,  either  nitro  or  black,  than  will  the  barrels  of  a 
shotgun.  The  grooves  of  a  rifle  barrel  offer  far  better  opportunity  to  the  destruc- 
tive chemical  effects  of  burned  powders  than  does  the  comparatively  intact  inte- 
rior of  a  gun  barrel.  And,  for  obvious  reasons  a  pitted  rifle  barrel  will  affect  the 
accuracy  of  the  marksman  to  a  much  greater  extent  than  would  be  the  case  with 
a  trap-  or  field-shooter.  In  the  rifle  the  barrel  is  so  constructed  as  to  have  a  direct 
bearing  upon  the  bullet  from  the  moment  it  leaves  the  cartridge  until  it  arrives 
at  the  muzzle.  Any  imperfection,  however  slight,  will  therefore  adversely  affect 
the  passage  of  a  rifle  ball  where  it  would  not  materially  affect  a  charge  of  shot  in 
a  smooth-bore  gun. 

Revolvers,  like  rifles,  owing  to  the  grooved  interiors  of  their  barrels,  retain  resi- 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS  127 

duum  to  a  greater  degree  than  is  the  case  with  a  weapon  of  smooth-bore  barrel. 
No  better  evidence  of  the  fact  that  a  foul  revolver  barrel  will  affect  the  marks- 
manship of  the  shooter  is  needed  than  the  frequency  with  which  the  expert  tar- 
get shot  will  clean  his  weapon  while  at  practice  or  in  competition.  The  limited 
length  of  the  barrel  requires  that  it  shall  exercise  undisturbed  control  of  the  bul- 
let from  the  moment  it  leaves  the  chamber  until  it  passes  beyond  the  muzzle,  and 
there  is  but  little  opportunity  for  the  recovery  of  that  control,  should  it  be  lost  or 
affected  at  any  period  of  the  bullet's  passage  as  the  result  of  a  foul  or  pitted  bar- 
rel. It  is  important,  therefore,  not  only  that  the  parts  of  a  revolver  be  kept  well 
oiled  and  free  from  foreign  substance,  but  that  the  barrel  be  frequently  cleaned 
when  in  use  and  that  it  be  kept  absolutely  free  from  pits. 

The  Gun  Bore  Treatment  Company  of  New  York  city,  has  devised  an  abso- 
lutely effective  and  permanent  protection  against  the  rusting,  pitting,  fouling  and 
leading  of  the  bore.  The  treatment  is  chemical,  and  changes  the  color  of  the  bore 
to  a  dark  blue  or  black,  making  the  surface  hard  and  smooth,  and  penetrating 
the  pores  of  the  metal,  filling  them  and  preventing  the  entrance  of  ravaging  agents. 
The  treatment  cannot  fill  up  pits  and  rust  spots  (metal  once  gone  cannot  be  re- 
placed), but  all  further  pitting  or  rusting  is  arrested.  It  does  not  change  the  re- 
sisting power  of  the  metal  or  its  tensile  strength.  The  treatment  requires  from 
five  to  six  days,  according  to  the  character  of  the  metal,  and  may  be  equally  well 
applied  to  the  exterior  of  gun  barrels  with  the  most  satisfactory  results. 

Scores  of  barrel  cleaners  are  now  on  the  market.  The  Budd-Petmecky  and 
those  made  by  the  Bridgeport  Gun  Implement  Company  are  excellent.  Recently 
what  is  known  as  a  "wick  plug"  has  become  popular.  It  is  made  on  the  same 
plan  as  a  lamp  wick,  except  that  it  is  round.  A  hook  is  fitted  to  one  end  of  the 
plug,  to  which  a  string  cleaner  may  be  attached,  the  weight  dropped  through  the 
barrel,  and  then  the  wick,  after  having  been  saturated  with  oil,  pulled  into  the 
barrel  so  as  to  completely  fill  it  from  one  end  to  the  other. 

GUN  SAFETIES. 

Among  the  wonders  which  have  been  accomplished  in  all  lines  of  invention  and 
manufacturing  during  he  last  30  years,  although  some  may  have  been  more  re- 
markable, certainly  none  have  been  more  interesting  to  the  enthusiastic  sports- 
man than  the  evolution  of  the  modern  shotgun.  All  of  the  older  members  of 
the  sportsmen's  fraternity  did  their  first  shooting  with  the  old  double-barrelled, 
muzzle-loading,  cylinder  bore,  and  doubtless  thought  it  a  perfect  shotgun.  In  that 
comparatively  short  term  of  years  they  have  watched  step  by  step  the  introduc- 
tion of  the  breech  loader,  the  rise  and  fall  of  various  grips  and  actions,  have  seen 
the  pin  fire  give  way  to  the  center  fire,  and  the  cylinder  bore  to  the  choke,  and 


128  AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 

lately  have  laid  aside  the  hammer  ^un  to  take  up  the  hammreless  and  the  black 
powder  for  the  nitro.  In  the  endeavor  to  ascertain  what  constitutes  a  safe  gun 
it  may  be  well  to  consider  the  causes  of  various  accidental  discharges  which  may 
be  laid  to  faulty  construction  of  the  gun.  Going  back  to  the  old  muzzle  loader 
we  had  a  fruitful  source  of  accident  in  the  fact  that  after  discharging  one  barrel, 
the  shooter  would  neglect  to  lower  the  hammer  on  the  second,  which  in  various 
w^ays  was  accidentally  discharged  while  reloading  the  first.  With  the  introduc- 
tion of  the  breech  loader  accidents  of  this  kind  were  rendered  impossible,  but  there 
still  remained  the  most  numerous  class,  those  connected  with  the  hammers  to 
guard  against.  Accidents  were  frequently  caused  by  carrying  the  hammers  down 
on  the  firing  pins  (and  there  were  some  who  foolishly  insisted  that  this  was  the 
safe  way  to  carry  a  gun)  when  if  the  gun  was  dropped  or  anything  struck  the 
back  of  the  hammers,  it  was  discharged  almost  as  surely  as  though  it  were  inten- 
tionally fired.  The  rebounding  lock  removed  this  danger  and  another  step  in  the 
direction  of  safety  was  accomplished.  There  still  remained  the  greatest  danger, 
and  that  was  the  hammers  catching  on  brush,  clothing,  or  other  objects,  and 
drawn  back  so  that  when  suddenly  released  the  gun  was  discharged.  This  was 
more  liable  to  occur  when  the  hammers  were  down,  or  at  half  cock,  than  when 
full  cocked,  for  the  reason  that  in  some  guns  the  hammers  would  not  raise  far 
enough  back  of  full  cock  to  slip  past  the  notch  when  released. 

This  fact  was  one  reason  advanced  by  that  contingent  who  always  carried  a 
gun  empty,  or  loaded  and  at  full  cock.  Another  was  that  it  was  easier  and 
quicker  to  break  the  gun  as  a  temporary  safeguard,  or  even  unload  it,  than  to 
lower  the  two  hammers  separately,  also  avoiding  the  danger  of  a  hammer  slip- 
ping while  lowering  it,  or  getting  onto  the  wrong  trigger.  The  best  point  they 
advanced  was  that  it  always  required  one  to  be  very  careful  with  a  loaded  gun, 
as  it  was  always  cocked,  maintaining  that  there  was  no  real  safety  in  half  cock 
as  one  was  apt  to  be  very  careless  with  a  gun  when  half  cocked,  believing  it  to 
be  perfectly  safe,  and  sometimes  would  think  they  had  lowered  the  hammers 
when  they  had  neglected  to  do  so. 

So  it  is  evident  that  in  the  breech  loading  hammerless  the  sportsman  has  the 
safest  gun  he  has  ever  handled,  and  the  question  now  before  him  is  which  of  the 
numerous  makes  now  on  the  market  is  the  safest,  and  therefore  the  gun  he  wants. 
Although  always  called  hammerless,  strictly  speaking  they  are  hammer  guns  with 
internal  hammers,  which  arc  automatically  cocked  by  opening  the  gun.  With 
such  guns  an  accidental  discharge  may  take  place  in  two  ways,  by  the  trigger  be- 
ing pulled  unintentionally,  or  by  the  hammers  being  released  through  a  break  in 
the  mechanism  of  the  lock,  or  jarred  o\'i  through  rough  handling,  a  blow,  or  a 
fall,  or  fHie  hamn.cr  jarring  nf{  when  the  other  barrel  was  fired.     To  prevent  ac- 


I 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS  129 

cidents  of  the  first  description  the  gun  is  usually  provided  with  an  automatic 
safety  which  blocks  the  triggers  as  soon  as  the  hammers  are  cocked,  so  that  they 
cannot  be  pulled  until  the  safety  is  pushed  up  or  off  safe.  Safeties  are  obviouslv 
the  most  important  point  in  the  make-up  of  the  hammerlcss  gun,  and  in  selecr- 
ing  a  gun  should  receive  the  first  and  most  careful  attention. 

The  common  automatic  trigger  safety  such  as  is  described  above  caused  great 
annoyance  from  the  fact  that  at  any  time,  and  especially  when  firing  rapidly,  one 
was  very  apt  to  forget  to  push  up  the  safety  and  lose  his  shot  thereby,  which 
brought  down  unlimited  wrath  on  the  safety  that  was  altogether  loo  safe.  Some 
remedied  this  by  removing  the  safety  entirely,  and  soon  the  manufacturer  en- 
deavored to  meet  the  demand  by  supplying  a  safety  that  was  rendered  independ- 
ent, that  is,  thrown  out  of  automatic  action  by  the  turning  of  a  screw  or  a  third 
notch  in  the  safety  slide.  Here  we  had  "confusion  worse  confounded,"  the  shooter 
sometimes  having  his  safety  automatic  and  sometimes  independent,  and  the  more 
he  changed  it  about  the  more  confused  he  became.  The  chances  were  that  some 
day  he  thought  it  was  automatic  and  on  safe  when  really  it  was  independent,  and 
the  thing  went  off  unexpectedly  and  perhaps  some  one  got  hurt.  In  the  majority 
of  cases  the  safety  was  soon  turned  into  the  independent  notch  and  left  there,  de- 
feating the  object  of  the  automatic  safety,  and  in  some  guns  rendering  the  safety 
entirely  useless.  When  in  the  field  and  momentarily  expecting  a  bird  to  rise,  the 
gun  must  be  carried  cocked  and  the  safety  up,  or  the  shooter  stood  no  show.  At 
such  times  the  gun  is  carried  in  front  at  a  "ready,"  and  the  only  way  the  trigger 
could  be  accidentally  pulled  is  by  some  object,  such  as  a  brush,  entering  the  trig- 
ger guard.  Whenever  there  is  any  danger  of  this,  one  will  instinctively  place  his 
hand  around  the  guard  in  such  a  way  as  to  prevent  it.  When  not  expecting  a 
shot,  and  still  not  wishing  to  unload  the  gun,  the  triggers  may  be  blocked  and  re- 
leased again  quite  as  easily  and  quickly  with  an  independent  as  with  an  automatic 
safety. 

^^'hile  for  years  manufacturers  had  racked  their  brains  for  the  best  method  of 
blocking  the  triggers,  they  had  totally  ignored  the  danger  in  the  only  other  di- 
rection, that  is,  from  jarring  off.  No  gun  had  any  protection  in  this  respect  un- 
til the  introduction  of  the  Nczu  Baker  Hammerlcss.  The  makers  of  this  gun  had 
evidently  watched  the  development  of  the  hammerlcss  very  closely,  and  profiting 
by  what  experience  had  proved  to  be  the  mistakes  of  their  competitors,  overcame 
the  difficulty  by  their  ingenious  automatic  firing-pin  safety.  This  automatically 
blocks  the  hammers  so  that  they  cannot  fire  the  gun  until  the  safeties  are  automat- 
ically withdrawn  by  the  act  of  pulling  the  triggers.  No  matter  by  what  means  or 
with  what  force  the  hammers  might  strike  the  firing-pin  blocks,  the  gun  cannot 
be  discharged  unless  the  triggers  are  pulled.    Thus  danger  of  accidental  discharge 


130  AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 

is  in  one  way  absolutely  prevented  by  automatically  blocking  the  hammers,  and 
when  the  triggers  are  also  blocked  by  using  the  independent  trigger  safety,  the 
g^n  is  as  safe  as  any  gun  will  ever  be  with  powder  in  it.  Tn  fact  it  seems  impos- 
sible that  it  coukl  be  accidentally  discharged.  On  account  of  the  danger  of  jar- 
ring off,  sportsmen  have  been  afraid  to  order,  and  manufacturers  did  not  like  to 
put  out  guns  with  light  trigger  pull,  a  quality  essential  to  good  shooting  with  some 
and  desired  by  many  others. 

As  a  matter  of  quicker  or  more  convenient  reference,  the  most  prominent  Amer- 
ican arms  are  herewith  presented  under  alphabetical  arrangement.  The  reader 
can  make  comparisons  and  draw  his  own  conclusions.  The  author  refrains  from 
an  expression  of  opinion  or  indorsement  of  any  special  guns,  cartridges,  etc. ;  for 
that  would  be  treading  upon  dangerous  ground  and  possibly  elicit  protests  and 
contradictions.  However,  under  Farrow  Arms,  the  author's  ideas  are  set  forth 
at  some  length.  His  ideas  as  to  requirements  for  the  best  military  or  sporting 
arms  have  been  acquired  by  actual  experience  in  the  field  in  Oregon,  Idaho  and 
Montana,  where  for  many  years  he  commanded  Indian  scouts,  served  with  his 
command  through  numerous  Indian  camoaigns,  and  extensively  hunted  game  of 
all  varieties. 

AMERICAN  ARMS  COMPANY  ARMS. 

The  new  hammerless  double  gun,  made  in  12-gauge,  is  noted  for  simplicity, 
durability  and  convenience.  The  barrels  can  be  attached  to  the  stock  whether 
the  gun  is  cocked  or  not.  The  gun  cocks  easily  and  can  be  readily  taken  apart 
for  cleaning  and  oiling  without  the  aid  of  a  lock-vice.    The  triggers  are  secured  by 


Figure  1 

a  positive  lock,  not  by  springs.    The  makers  of  this  gun  acnieved  a  high  reputation 
as  manufacturers  of  the  Fox  double  gun,  and  the  well-known  semi-hammerless  i 
single  gun,  shown  in  Fig.  1.    This  gun  has  a  top  snap  action,  pistol  grip  and  re- 
bounding lock.     It  is  cocked  by  simply  pressing  down  the  little  lever  with  the 
thumb  of  the  hand  holding  the  gun.    It  is  made  in  10,-  12-  and  i6-gauge. 

The  single,  doul)le-nclion  and  hammerless  revolver  combined,   shown   in   Fig. 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 


131 


2,  made  by  the  American  Arms  Company,  in  32  and  38  caliber,  is  noted  for  its 
safety  and  perfect  action.     It  can  be  changed  from  absolute  safety  to  active  use 


Figure  2 

in  an  instant,  and  while  drawing  from  the  pocket. 
gle  action  for  target  practice  with  equal  facility. 


It  can  also  be  changed  to  sin- 


BAKER  GUNS. 

The  Baker  hammerless  guns  have  two  distinct  safeties  operating  independently 
of  each  other.  They  are  the  safest  hammerless  yet  made.  They  cannot  be  dis- 
charged in  any  other  way  than  by  pulling  the  triggers.  They  cannot  jar  off.  If 
the  notch  or  sear  breaks,  letting  the  hammers  down,  they  will  not  fire  the  gun  be- 
cause of  the  intervening  firing-pin  block.  The  hammerless  guns  will  admit  of  the 
barrels  being  removed  from  the  frame  independently  of  the  position  of  the  ham- 
mers. If  the  gun  is  cocked  it  can  be  taken  apart  and  put  together.  If  the  gun  is 
not  cocked  it  can  be  taken  apart  and  put  together  again  without  cocking  it.  The 
hammers  can  be  let  down  with  absolute  safety  without  snapping,  as  in  the  act  of 
firing,  thus  relieving  the  main  springs  from  the  tension.  In  this  position  the  ham- 
mers rest  on  the  firing-pin  block  safeties,  permitting  the  firing-pin  springs  to  as- 
sume and  retain  their  normal  position,  and  not  permitting  the  points  of  the  firing- 
pin  to  project  beyond  the  face  of  the  breech,  and  thus  be  in  contact  with  the 
? primer.  If  desired,  the  hammers  can  remain  cocked  without  injury  to  the  main 
springs.  The  ease  with  which  these  guns  can  be  cocked  is  one  of  their  desirable 
points. 

The  drawing  is  three-fourths  full  size  and  shows  the  firing-pin  block  A  in  posi- 


132 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 


tion  of  safety,  being  between  the  banimer  and  back  of  the  frame.  Tn  this  position, 
should  the  hammer  fall,  it  would  strike  the  block  A  and  rest  on  it.  preventing  the 
hammer  from  reaching  the  firing-pin  B.  Should  the  sear,  or  notch  break  whil,i 
the  firing-pin  block  A  is  in  this  position,  or  the  hammers  be  jarred  out  of  bent, 
the  solid  steel  block  A  would  receive  the  full  force  of  the  blow  and  prevent  the 
hammer  from  coming  in  contact  with  the  firing-pin  B.    C — Cocking  lever  in  the 


position  it  will  assume  while  the  gun  is  opened,  as  in  the  act  of  putting  shells  into 
the  barrels.  D — Triggers,  the  forward  end  of  which  operates  the  safety  A.  F — 
Non-automatic  safety,  used  to  block  the  triggers.  This  drawing  shows  this  safety 
in  position,  blocking  the  triggers  so  they  cannot  be  pulled  off,  either  accidentally 
or  on  purpose.  When  this  safety  F  is  in  this  position,  it  renders  it  impossible  to 
pull  the  safety  A  out  of  position  of  safety.  S — Thumb-piece  on  top  of  the  tang 
and  which  is  used  to  operate  the  non-automatic  safety  F.    E — Top-lever  spring. 

The  firing-pin  block  safety  is  absolutely  automatic  in  its  action  and  will  go  to 
the  position  of  safety  every  time,  just  as  soon  as  the  hammer  is  raised  from  the 
firing-pin  far  enough  to  permit  it  to  do  so,  and  will  remain  in  this  position  of 
safety  until  the  trigger  is  pulled  to  fire  the  gun.  This  automatic  safety  is  always 
in  place  at  the  point  of  greatest  danger  on  any  gun,  viz :  the  firing-pin ;  effectually 
and  completely  blocking  the  firing-pin  and  remaining  so  under  all  conditions  until 
the  trigger  is  pulled,  at  which  instant  it  is  removed,  permitting  the  hammer  to 
strike  the  firing-pin.  These  guns  cannot  be  discharged  even  though  a  sear  or 
notch  breaks  or  wears  through  long  use  or  neglect,  so  as  to  permit  it  to  jar  off; 
while  other  hammerless  guns  not  provided  with  the  firing-pin  block,  will  do  so 
under  the  aljove  circumstances,  even  though  the  triggers  are  locked  l)y  an  auto- 
matic safety,  and  the  gun  cannot  be  fired  by  i)ulling  them.  It  should  be  borne  in 
mind  that  the  safety  F  operated  by  the  tlniinh-pieee  S  on  top  of  the  tang,  is  not 
automatic,  and  that  it  does  not  go  to  safely  when  the  gun  is  oi)eneil.     The  tiring- 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS  133 

pin  block  safety  is  absolutely  automatic  in  every  sense  of  tbe  word ;  that  is,  it 
goes  to  the  position  of  safety  every  time  the  gun  is  opened. 

The  shooting  power  of  the  Baker  hammerless  gun  is  of  a  high  order.  The  pat- 
terns are  regular  and  even,  yielding  averages  from  the  cylinder  to  the  full  choke 
bores  that  should  satisfy  the  most  fastidious  shooter.  In  this  respect  they  sus- 
tain the  reputation  of  the  Baker  hammer  guns  that  for  so  many  years  have  found 
universal  favor.  The  gun  has  fine  lines ;  it  is  symmetrical  and  well-balanced.  It 
is  built  and  fully  equipped  for  continuous  service  at  the  trap,  on  the  uplands  and 
for  water-fowl  shooting.  It  has  great  strength  of  frame,  simplicity  of  action  and 
few  working  parts,  and  those  all  of  good  size  and  strength.  It  has  rebounding 
locks,  and  no  sticking  of  the  firing-pins  in  the  primers. 

Many  sportsmen  desire  a  strong  and  well  made  gun  which  will  compare  favor- 
ably with  the  fancy-priced  imported  guns.  In  deference  to  this  class  of  sportsmen 
the  Baker  Gun  and  Forging  Company  brought  out,  some  years  ago,  the  Paragon 
grade  gun.  Before  starting  to  construct  this  gun,  the  company  concluded  it  must 
conform  to  the  following  specifications:  ist — It  should  be  built  of  best  material 
and  so  accurately  fitted  in  all  parts,  that  it  would  stand  continuous  use,  with  any 
reasonable  charge  of  either  nitro  or  black  powder.  2d — It  should  have  good  pene- 
tration and  make  just  the  pattern,  whether  open,  medium,  or  very  close,  that  the 
customer  desired.  3d — The  engraving  and  checquering  should  be  as  near  perfect 
as  skilled  workmen  could  make  it,  and  the  general  finish  should  be  such  as  to  com- 
pare favorably  with  any  gun  which  costs  twice  as  much ;  and  last  but  not  by  any 
means  least,  it  should  be  a  safe  hammerless  gun. 

The  Baker  hammer  gun  of  model  1897,  was  built  especially  for  the  use  of 
nitro  powder.  It  has  all  of  the  latest  improvements,  including  lock  plates,  for- 
ward action  locks,  bridle  on  lock,  low  circular  rebounding  hammers,  cross-bolted 
extension  tib,  top  snap  action,  best  English  twist  or  Damascus  barrels,  solid  plun- 
gers, compensating  fore-end,  and  is  a  hammer  gun  in  which  it  is  safe  to  use  nitro 
powder  as  well  as  black.  It  cannot  be  excelled  for  close,  hard,  long-range  shoot- 
ing in  the  field  or  at  the  trap.  This  gun  is  made  in  10,-  12-  and  i6-gauge  and  of 
the  following  dimensions:  i6-gauge,  28-inch  barrels,  weighing  from  6^  to  yyi 
pounds;  i6-gauge,  30-inch  barrels,  weighing  from  6%  to  73/<  pounds;  12-gauge, 
28-inch  barrels,  weighing  from  yys  to  8  pounds;  12-gauge,  30-inch  barrels,  weigh- 
ing from  y}i  to  9  pounds;  12-gauge,  32-inch  barrels,  weighing  from  7>4  to  9^ 
pounds;  lo-gauge,  30-inch  barrels,  weighing  from  8^  to  10  pounds;  lo-gauge, 
32-inch  barrels,  weighing  from  8^  to  11  pounds. 

To  relieve  the  tension  on  the  main  springs,  the  hammers  should  be  let  down 
without  snapping.  This  can  be  done  most  easily  on  the  Baker  by  simply  pressing 
the  triggers  when  the  gun  is  open  and  holding  them  back  while  closing  the  gun. 


134  A  M  E  R  I  C  A  N    S  M  A  L  L    A  R  M  S 

Loaded  shells  should  be  removed  during;  this  operation  to  prevent  any  accidental 
discharge  through  not  handling  the  gun  properly, 

BALLARD   RIFLE. 

This  excellent  American  rille  is  no  longer  made,  being  superseded  by  the  Mar 
lin.     It  is  noted  for  its  simple  and  effective  breech  mechanism.     The  extractor  is 
positive  and  cannot  fail  to  work,  as  it  acts  on  the  same  pin  with  tli£  lever.     When 
the  lever  is  thrown  down  it  withdraws  the  breech-block,  at  the  same  time  throwing 
the  hammer  to  the  half-cock  notch.     After  inserting  the  cartridge,  pushing  up 


the  lever  causes  the  lock  to  move  forward  and  upward,  closing  tightly  on  the 
head  of  the  cartridge.  There  is  no  possibility  of  an  explosion,  as  the  hammer  is 
at  half-cock,  and  there  is  nothing  which  might  slip  through  careless  handling. 
Nothing  short  of  firing  the  gun  voluntarily  can  set  it  off,  thus  making  it  in  every 
respect  safe.    This  rifle  was  a  great  favorite  with  the  Indians  of  the  West,  they 


being  much  pleased  with  its  shooting  and  non-fouling  properties.     The  character- 
istic styles  of  the  arm  are  shown  in  the  drawings. 

The  Ballard  rifle  was,  for  many  years,  approved  and  recommended  by  the  best 
shots  in  the  leading  clubs  in  the  United  States,  Great  Britain,  France  and  Ger- 
many.    See  Marlin  Arms. 

BALTIMORE  HAMMERLESS  GUN. 

This  gun  appeals  particularly  to  trap  shooters,  for  the  reason  that  it  does  not 
shoot  loose.  It  is  so  constructed,  with  a  strong,  positive,  circular  bolt  (which  is 
the  strongest  form  of  construction),  having  a  bearing  over  its  entire  surface,  that 
the  locking  remains  a  good  fit.     This  bolt  is  unique  and  stands  as  the  strongest. 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS  135 

most  positive,  and  most  durable  locking  mechanism  in  use.  The  cocking  me- 
chanism is  simple  and  positive.  The  gun  is  made  in  12-gauge  only,  and  is  bored 
full  choke  for  close,  hard  shooting.  The  following  are  the  weights  for  the  28,- 
30-  and  32-inch  barrels : 

Weights,  28-inch   6y2  to  7^^  lbs. 

30-inch   7       to  8>4     " 

32-inch   7>:+  to  83^     " 

The  sectional  drawing  shows  the  working  parts  of  the  gun.  Its  simplicity  will 
at  once  be  seen.  It  is  composed  of  the  following  few  parts :  The  frame,  which  is 
not  cut  away  to  a  mere  shell  to  accommodate  a  complicated  mechanism,  but  has 
solid  metal  left,  especially  where  it  is  most  essential,  across  the  angles  of  the 


frame;  the  hammer  (one  piece  of  drop  forged  steel),  whose  cocking-arm  comes 
in  direct  engagement  with  the  cocking-bolt,  thereby  insuring  ease  of  cocking,  and 
is  positive  and  durable ;  the  sear,  which  is  one  piece  of  drop  forged  steel ;  the  lock- 
ing-bolt, circular  in  form,  strong  and  mechanical  in  its  construction,  fastened  to 
in  fact  by  construction  made  part  of  a  top  lever,  and  made  of  the  best  material. 
These  few  parts,  together  with  a  main  spring,  a  sear  spring,  and  triggers,  com- 
prise the  working  parts  of  the  gun.  From  the  drawing  it  will  be  seen  that  the 
cocking-bolt  comes  in  direct  engagement  with  the  cocking-arm  of  the  hammer, 
which  pushes  the  hammer  into  position  to  receive  the  sear  in  the  notch.  The 
main  spring  operating  directly  on  the  hammers  in  the  manner  illustrated,  insures 
firing  the  cartridge  every  time  the  trigger  is  pulled. 

BARNEKOV-GREENE  GUN. 

This  rifle,  tested  by  the  inventors  with  satisfaction,  is  a  breech-loader,  having  a 
fixed  chamber  closed  by  a  movable  breech-block,  which  slides  in  the  line  of  the 
barrel  by  indirect  action,  being  moved  by  levers  from  above.  Its  distinguishing 
characteristic  is  a  short  sliding  block,  back  of  which  is  a  pair  of  links,  secured 
at  their  forward  end  to  the  block,  and  in  rear  to  the  frame.  The  rearmost  one  of 
them  contains  the  hammer,  in  cocking  which  the  combination  is  bent  upward  and 


136  AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 

so  withdraws  the  block.     The  cartridge-shells,  when  extracted,  drop  through  a 
hole  left  for  the  purpose  in  the  frame. 

BATAVIA  GUN. 

This  well-known  hammerless  gun,  made  by  the  Baker  Gun  and  Forging  Com- 
pany, differs  materially  from  Baker  hammerless  guns.  It  is  made  without  lock 
plates.  The  lock  work  is  simple,  and  the  stock  is  cut  out  but  very  little,  leaving 
it  extra  strong.  All  the  metal  parts,  including  the  frame,  lock-work,  guard,  front 
circle,  etc.,  are  forged  from  the  best  steel.  There  is  no  cast  or  malleable  frame  or 
parts  in  this  gun  as  there  are  in  some  of  the  cheap  hammerless  now  being  offered, 
but  every  part  is  of  the  best  material  and  well  adapted  to  the  work  it  has  to  do. 
The  twist  barrels  are  of  the  same  quality  used  on  the  Baker  hammerless  and  are 
of  the  best  quality  twist  made  by  any  of  the  barrel  makers  of  the  old  country.  The 
Damascus  barrels  are  fine  four-blade  and  of  good  quality.  * 

The  mainsprings  of  a  loaded  and  closed  hammerless  gun  are  constantly  strain- 
ing all  their  energy  to  liberate  the  strikers  and  drive  the  firing-pins  against  the 
primers.  In  a  gun  not  provided  with  the  firing-pin  block  system  there  is  danger 
ever  present  that  the  sear  or  some  other  part  of  the  mechanism  for  restraining 
the  mainspring  will  slip  or  give  way,  without  the  intervention  of  the  trigger,  and 
the  gun  be  discharged.  A  little  gummy  oil  or  dust  may  prevent  the  sear  from  go- 
ing home  on  the  notch,  or  a  defective  sear  spring  may  fail  to  seat  the  sear.  In 
either  case  a  premature  explosion  of  the  gun  will  take  place,  probably  the  instant 
the  barrels  are  closed,  or  on  the  slightest  subsequent  shock.  In  an  unblocked  gun 
the  ordinary  discharge  of  one  barrel  is  liable  to  jar  off  the  opposite  sear  where 
the  trigger  pull  is  light,  or  a  fall,  etc.,  will  have  the  same  effect.     See  Baker  Guns. 

BEALS  PIFLE. 

This  rifle  is  a  breech-loader,  having  a  fixed  chamber  closed  by  a  movable 
breech-block,  which  slides  in  the  line  of  the  barrel  by  indirect  action,  being  moved 
by  levers  from  below.  It  is  opened  by  pressing  the  lever;  this  brings  down  the 
rearmost  of  two  folding-wedges,  which  form  the  breech-block,  by  means  of  a 
toggle  or  link,  and  at  the  same  time  withdraws  tlic  upper  section  of  the  block  to 
its  full  extent  and  then  drops  it  out  of  the  way  r,l  the  cartridge.  The  hammer  is 
simultaneously  brought  to  the  halt-cock.  The  i)iece  is  closed  by  reversing  the 
action  of  the  lever,  when  the  sections  of  the  block  are  brought  into  place.  The 
last  movement  of  the  upper  section  being  in  the  line  of  the  barrel,  thus  tends  to 
press  the  cartridge  into  the  chamber  if  it  be  not  already  completely  inserted.  The 
piece  is  locked  by  the  position  of  the  breech-block,  and  is  fired  by  a  tang-lock  of 
the  usual  nattern.  Extraction  and  ejection  are  accomplished  by  a  sliding  extractor 
on  the  side  of  Ine  barrel,  impelled  backward  by  a  spring. 

*This  Run,  without  safety  blocks,  and  formerly  known  as  Model  C.  is  not  now  regularly 
manufactured. 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS  137 

BERNER  RIFLE. 

The  Berner  in  its  time  was  considered  a  most  effective  weapon.  It  was  two- 
grooved  and  fired  a  belted  ball.  The  Lancaster  rifle  is  a  modification.  It  is  rarely 
seen  at  the  present  day.  The  author  has  one  among  his  collection  which  he  cap- 
tured from  one  of  the  Nez  Perce  Indians  in  Idaho,  and  which  did  much  damage 
at  the  battle  of  the  Clearwater,  in  Idaho,  in  1877,  the  firer  occupying  a  command- 
ing position  in  a  distant  tree. 

BERTHIER  RIFLE. 

This  rifle  has  a  bolt  action,  and  gives  its  bullet  a  muzzle  velocity  of  2,071  feet 
per  second.  The  breech  mechanism  is  of  very  simple  type,  and  consists  of  very 
few  parts,  none  of  which  are  at  all  liable  to  get  out  of  action.  The  magazine  is 
quite  separate  from  and  is  not  attached  to  the  rifle  at  all ;  it  is  simply  a  metal 
clip,  and  in  it  four  cartridges  are  packed.  Of  such  packages  the  soldier  or  sports- 
man carries  as  many  as  desired,  each  one  thus  constituting  a  separate  magazine. 

To  use  the  magazine  it  is  simply  dropped  into  the  breech  of  the  rifle,  and  the 
cartridges  in  it  are  fed  up  one  by  one,  as  its  predecessor  is  extracted,  by  means  of 
a  spring  which  forces  each  cartridge  vertically  up  into  the  chamber.  When  the 
fourth  and  last  cartridge  is  pushed  into  the  chamber,  the  magazine  falls  through 
automatically,  and  another  can  be  dropped  in  its  place. 

To  use  the  rifle  as  a  single-loader,  the  magazine  is  not  put  in,  but  the  single 
cartridge  is  simply  inserted  in  its  place  behind  the  chamber,  the  top  of  the  feed- 
ing-up  spring  for  the  magazine  affording  an  ample  bearing  for  the  whole  length 
of  the  cartridge. 

BISLEY  REVOLVER. 

This  modification  of  the  Colt  single  action  army  revolver  is  regarded  with  much 
favor. 

The  peculiar  form  of  the  hammer  makes  it  easier  to  manage  with  the  shooting 
hand,  and  the  reduced  length  of  pull  adapts  it  especially  for  fine  work.     It  fires 


six  shots  and  is  made  for  the  following  cartridges :  .45  Colt,  .44  Russian,  .38-.40, 
.38  Colt,  .38  S.  &  W.  gallery,  .38  S.  &  W.  gallery  and  target,  .32-.20,  .32  Colt,  .32 
S.  &  W.  self-lubricating  and  gallery,  .32-.44  gallery  and  target.  The  special  tar- 
get model  has  a  barrel  7>4  inches  long  and  weighs  42  ounces.     See  Colt 


138  AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 

BLAKE  RIFLE. 

The  Blake  rifle  has  attracted  considerable  attention  on  account  of  its  packet.  It 
is  a  mag-azine  rifle  that  by  the  use  of  the  "cut  ofif"  can  be  used  as  a  rapid  single 
loader,  with  magazines  holding  seven  cartridges  in  reserve,  available  as  a 
repeater  whenever  the  cut  ofif  is  thrown  in.  Single  loading  fire  can  be  resumed 
at  any  time,  holding  the  remaining  cartridges  in  packet  in  reserve.  As  a  repeater 
the  sustained  rapidity  of  fire  is  probably  greater  than  any  known  rifle.  The  dis- 
tinctive feature  of  the  system  is  that  of  fhe  cartridges  being  carried  in  the  belt 
or  pockets  in  a  revolving  cylindrical  packet,  holding  generally  seven  cartridges. 
These  packets  are  charged  into  the  magazine,  which  lies  under  the  receiver  and 
just  forward  of  the  trigger  guard,  in  one  movement  and  "en  bloc,"  as  if  the 
packet  were  a  single  cartridge.  The  cartridges  are  fed  into  the  chamber  by  a 
positive  movement,  dispensing  with  the  heretofore  universal  magazine  spring. 
When  the  cartridge  packet  is  empty  the  magazine  door  is  opened,  the  empty 
packet  drops  out  and  a  full  packet  is  recharged.     An  empty  packet  may  be  re- 


FIGURE  I. 

filled  with  cartridges  many  times  if  desired;  the  packet  weig'hs  less  than  two 
ounces. 

The  rifle  holds  eight  cartridges,  one  in  the  chamber  and  seven  in  the  magazine. 
Two  more  packets  may  be  carried  in  a  vest,  or  shooting  jacket,  lower  pocket, 
which  would  give  a  supply  of  twenty-two  cartridges.  If  it  is  thought  desirable  to 
carry  mt>re  cartridges,  more  packets  may  be  carried  in  the  pockets,  or  in  loops  on 
the  cartridge  belt  as  those  now  in  use,  the  loops  merely  being  larger.  A  full 
belt  would  hold  fifteen  packets.  A  belt  may  have  a  smaller  number  of  loops,  the 
rest  of  the  belt  being  looped  to  carry  single  cartridges.  The  packet  system  is 
simply  the  last  stage  of  the  evolution  of  the  combination  of  the  various  elements 
necessary  to  load  the  rifle  in  the  minimum  of  time.  It  was  not  so  very  long  ago 
that  the  powder,  bullet  and  primer  were  each  placed  in  the  rifle  separately ; 
then  came  the  metallic  cartridge  which  made  the  breech  loader  possible,  and  now 
the  packet  system  which  makes  the  final  success  of  the  magazine  or  repeater. 

The  action  of  this  rifle  is  very  strong  and  simple.  It  is  merely  a  hollow  cyHndcr 
of  steel  with  a  handle  near  the  rear  end,  which,  when  bolt  is  locked,  turns  down 
at  the  side  of  the  gun,  and  has  four  locking  lugs  at  the  forward  end ;  these  lugs 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS  139 

slide  through  two  grooves  in  the  receiver  of  the  'gun,  and  on  the  bolt  being 
rotated  lock  behind  four  projections  in  the  breech,  constituting  an  interrupted 
screw,  and  is  very  much  like  the  breech  closing  system  used  in  heavy  ordnance. 
The  strain  of  the  exiplosion  is  thus  borne  by  the  front  of  the  bolt  and  the  breech 
of  the  barrel,  about  half  an  inch  in  rear  of  cartridge,  and  is  not  transmitted 
through  the  body.  The  shank  of  the  handle  also  locks  behind  a  shoulder  at  the 
rear  of  the  receiver.  Few  rifles  have  the  breech  closed  in  as  strong  a  manner 
as  this  and  can  like  it  withstand  the  firing  of  ten  excessive  charges  of  40  grains 
of  Wetteren  smokeless  powder,  which  throws  a  strain  on  the  breech  mechanism 
from  four  to  six  times  as  great  <as  black  powder.  Smokeless  powders  having 
come  into  extensive  use  in  shot  guns  and  army  rifles,  it  is  to  be  expected  that 
powder  manufacturers  will  soon  be  able  to  furnish  these  powders,  giving  reliable 
results  for  sporting  purposes.  The  greater  velocity,  with  consequent  flatter 
trajectory,  with  greatly  reduced  recoil,  make  these  powders  very  desirable. 
The  rifle  Model  1899,  designed  for  practical  use,  is  made  in  two  calibers,  the 


-30  caliber  U.  S.  Army,  and  .400  caliber,  both  of  which  cartridges  may  be  ob- 
tained of  any  of  the  cartridge  companies,  or,  when  away  from  civilization,  at  any 
army  or  niaval  station.  The  .30  caliver  is  supplied  loaded  with  smokeless  rifle 
powder,  giving  a  muzzle  velocity  to  the  cupro-nickel  jacket  220-grain  bullet  of 
2,000  feet  per  second,  and  chamber  pressure  of  about  20  tons  per  square  inch. 
Both  cartridges  are  supplied  also  loaded  with  55  grains  black  powder  and  jacketed 
bullets,  which  makes  a  good  charge  for  target  work  and  small  game.  The  .30 
caliber  is  supplied  with  smokeless  rifle  powder  and  half  mantled  bullets  with 
soft  lead  or  express  points.  All  lead  bullets,  alloy  about  10  to  i,  can  also  be  used. 
The  magazine  is  recharged  with  the  action  closed  thus  allowing  the  last  car- 
tridge to  remain  in  the  chamber  ready  to  be  instantly  fired  if  shooter  is  surprised 
with  magazine  open  and  fumbling  for  a  packet.  The  magazine  is  tightly  closed 
on  tlje  bottom  at  all  times,  keeping  out  dust,  rain  or  mud  if  rifle  is  laid  on  the 
ground,  or  the  shooter  uses  it  lying  prone.  It  is  found,  by  experience  in  the 
Northwest,  that  the  effects  produced  on  large  game  by  the  .30  caliber  express 
bullet  is  equal  to  that  of  the  45-90-330.     Figure  i  shows  the  .400  rifle,  with  30- 


140 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 


inch  barrel,  Lvman  peep,  Lyman  mid-barrel  sight,  swivels  and  sling-  strap.     A 
packet  of  seven  cartridges  is  shown  hanging  from  the  magazine.     In   Figure  2 


-•Xi»iiili#^^"'^^r^^^^ 


I 


1 


is  shown  tlic  I'.lakc  carbine.  20-inch  barrel,  Lvman  peep  sight   detachable,  shot- 
gun butt.     The  Blake  ammunition  is  shown  in  Figure  3. 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS  141 

BOCH  MAGAZINE  GUN. 

This  gun  is  the  exponent  of  that  system  in  which  a  fixed  chamber  is  closed  by 
bolt  by  direct  action,  and  in  which  the  lock  is  concealed.  The  stock  is  in  a  single 
piece,  extending  nearly  to  the  end  of  the  barrel,  and  secured  to  it  by  bands  held 
in  place  by  springs.  The  tang-screw  and  the  screw  which  passes  into  the  receiver 
secure  the  latter  to  the  stock.  The  trigger-guard  is  fastened  by  screws.  The 
receiver  has  two  longitudinal  holes,  one  on  each  side.  The  opening  on  the  left 
side  is  for  the  ejection  of  empty  shells,  and  the  one  on  the  right  side  is  for  the  in- 
troduction of  cartridges,  whether  used  as  a  magazine  gun  or  as  a  single-loader. 
The  latter  opening  has  at  its  ends  two  projections,  which  fit  to  corresponding  sur- 
faces on  the  magazine  when  the  latter  is  attached.  The  receiver  is  perforated  at 
its  rear  for  the  reception  of  the  breech-bolt.  The  latter  consists  of  three  parts,  viz., 
the  rear  piece  through  which  the  firing-pin  passes,  the  projection  of  the  pin  fitting 
into  a  cut;  the  locking-tube,  including  the  handle,  and  the  bolt-head  or  body, 
through  which  the  firing-pin  passes,  and  which  supports  the  cartridge  at  the  in- 
stant of  fire.  The  firing-pin  having  been  introduced  into  the  rear  piece  is  then 
passed  through  the  firing-pin  spring ;  the  movable  shoulder  is  then,  by  sufficiently 
pressing  the  spring,  introduced  over  the  head  of  the  pin,  and  by  giving  it  a  quarter 
turn  is  retained  on  the  pin  bearing  against  the  shoulders  of  the  latter.  The  spring 
is  then  held  compressed  between  the  ends  of  the  rear  piece  and  the  movable 
shoulder.  The  firing-pin  and  spring  are  passed  through  the  locking-tube,  and 
then  through  the  bolt-head,  which  is  screwed  to  the  rear  piece.  The  locking-tube 
has  two  projections  which,  when  the  handle  of  the  bolt  is  turned  down  in  the  re- 
ceiver, fit  into  two  recesses  in  the  latter,  and  the  bolt  is  thereby  held  in  position. 
The  bolt-head  is  prevented  from  turning  by  a  projection  perfectly  fitting  into  a 
groove  in  the  receiver.  The  sear  is  notched  for  the  nose  of  the  trigger.  The 
sear-spring  is  attached  to  the  under  side  of  the  tang  by  a  screw.  The  trigger  when 
pulled  releases  the  projection  of  the  firing-pin,  and  the  cartridge  is  exploded.  The 
extractor  hooks  on  the  rim  of  the  cartridge  when  the  bolt  is  closed,  and,  when  it 
is  withdrawn,  throws  out  the  empty  shell  through  the  left  side  hole  of  the  re- 
ceiver by  deflecting  it  from  the  axis  of  the  chamber.  The  magazine  is  attached 
to  the  right  side  of  the  receiver,  and  is  operated  by  a  wheel  which,  when  a  cartridge 
is  to  be  introduced,  is  turned  so  that  a  cartridge  can  drop  into  the  receiver,  when 
the  bolt  pushes  it  well  into  the  chamber.    The  magazine  holds  20  cartridges. 

In  another  pattern  of  the  Boch  gun  the  stock  is  in  two  parts,  the  butt  and  the 
tip ;  these  are  joined  together  and  to  the  barrel  by  a  band  which  passes  around 
the  ends  of  the  two  parts,  at  their  junction,  and  the  barrel.  Another  band  fastens 
the  front  end  of  the  tip-stock  to  the  barrel.  In  the  right  side  of  the  butt-stock  is 
a  longitudinal  opening  coincident  with  a  similar  one  in  the  receiver.    Through  this 


142  AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 

hole  cartridges  may  be  introduced  on  the  carrier.  The  butt-stock  is  grooved  to 
fit  the  barrel  and  cut  through  for  the  receiver,  which  is  fastened  to  the  stock  by 
means  of  a  tang-screw,  passing  through  the  stock  into  the  trigger-guard  plate. 

The  butt-stock  is  also  perforated  by  a  hole  continuous  with  one  in  the  tip-stock, 
through  which  the  magazine-tube  passes,  the  latter  being  fastened  to  the  receiver 
by  a  screw-thread.  This  gun  carries  nine  cartridges  in  the  magazine  and  one  in 
the  chamber.  As  a  magazine  gun,  three  motions  are  necessary  to  operate  it,  viz., 
opened,  closed,  fired;  as  a  single-loader,  four  motions,  viz.,  opened,  loaded,  closed, 
fired. 

BORCHARDT  RIFLE. 

This  automatic  rifle  and  pistol  combined  shoots  cartridges  loaded  with  Walsrode 
smokeless  powder.  It  requires  a  .31  caliber  full  metal  patch  or  mushroom  bullet, 
and  has  an  effective  range  of  300  yards.  The  magazine  holds  eight  cartridges. 
The  only  operation  necessary  is  to  throw  back  the  bolt  the  first  time,  which  cocks 
and  loads  the  arm.  After  this  the  arm  works  automatically.  The  recoil  of  the 
first  cartridge  unloads,  cocks,  and  loads  the  arm,  and  as  fast  or  slow  as  the  trig- 
ger is  pulled  the  arm  is  discharged.  Owing  to  its  light  weight  and  small  size,  it 
makes  both  an  excellent  pistol  as  well  as  a  first-class  rifle  for  game  as  large  as 
deer. 

BRIGGS-KNEELAND  MAGAZINE  GUN. 

This  highly  praised  magazine  rifle,  lever  action,  is  loaded  with  a  "clip"  contain- 
ing five  cartridges.  It  has  a  breech-block  of  very  superior  design  and  great 
strength.  The  magazine  is  placed  back  of  the  trigger-guard  and  does  not  interfere 
with  the  symmetry  of  the  arm. 

BROUGHTON  GUNS. 

Several  varieties  of  excellent  arms  bearing  this  name  have  been  invented  and 
tested,  three  of  which  compare  favorably  with  the  well-known  arms  of  their  re- 
spective systems. 

No.  I  is  a  breech-loading  rifle  having  a  fixed  chamber  closed  hy  a  movable 
breech-block  rotating  about  a  vertical  axis  at  90  degrees  to  the  axis  of  the  barrel, 
and  not  in  the  plane  of  the  axis  of  the  barrel  (all  to  the  right  and  in  front).  This 
piece  is  opened  hy  drawing  back  the  firing-bolt  to  cock  the  piece,  and  pressing 
down  on  the  thumb-piece  to  liberate  a  spring-catch  in  the  breech-block  from  its 
notch  in  the  receiver,  and  to  allow,  the  block  to  swing  outward  and  forwanl  until 
nearly  parallel  to  the  barrel.  The  guard  is  connected  with  the  receiver  by  an  un- 
dercut groove  in  front  and  a  spring-catch  in  rear,  and  when  detached  from  the 
gun  carries  with  it  the  lock  complete. 

No.  2  is  a  breech-loading  rifle  having  a  fixed  chamber  closed    by    a    movable 


AMERICAN    SMALL    ARMS  143 

breech-block  which  rotates  about  a  horizontal  axis  at  90  degrees  to  the  axis  of  the 
barrel,  lying  above  the  axis  of  the  barrel  and  in  front. 

No.  3  is  a  breech-loading  rifle  having  a  fixed  chamber  closed  by  a  movable 
breech-block  which  rotates  about  a  horizontal  axis  at  90  degrees  to  the  axis  of  the 
barrel,  lying  below  the  axis  of  the  barrel  and  in  front,  being  moved  from  below 
by  a  lever. 

BROWN  MAGAZINE  GUN. 

This  rapid-firing  gun,  weighs  about  eight  pounds.  It  uses  a  "clip"  which  holds 
five  cartridges,  and  is  inserted  in  the  grip  of  the  gun  immediately  behind  the  trig- 
ger-guard. These  five  cartridges  can  be  discharged  in  two  seconds,  as  the  gun 
need  not  be  taken  from  the  shoulder  for  throwing  out  the  expended  cartridge  and 
putting  another  in  its  place.  Throwing  down  the  guard  lever  and  returning  it  to 
place  does  all  the  work.  The  breech-block  is  solid,  and  moves  down  to  allow  re- 
moval of  the  discharged  shell  and  reloading.  An  absolutely  new  feature  of  this 
gun  is  a  level  and  quadrant  attachment  which  allows  it  to  be  set  at  any  desired 
angle,  so  that  it  can  be  used  as  a  mortar. 

BROWNING  AUTOMATIC  SHOTGUN. 

This  newest  of  shotguns  combines  many  good  features.  It  is  a  hammerless, 
automatic  ejector,  single  trigger,  repeater,  with  greatly  reduced  recoil.  It  is  en- 
tirely automatic  in  its  action  excepting  only  that  the  trigger  has  to  be  pulled  for 
each  shot.     All  the  operations — opening  the  breech,  ejecting  the    empty  shell, 

inserting  a  cartridge,  cocking  the  hammer,  closing  and  locking  the  breech are 

performed  by  the  recoil,  leaving  the  arm  ready  to  be  fired  again  by  a  pressure  on 
the  trigger.  In  consequence  of  its  being  utilized  to  operate  the  mechanism,  the 
recoil,  which  in  other  guns  is  worse  than  wasted  on  the  shoulder,  is  largely  ab- 
sorbed, and  the  shooter  is  spared  the  discomforts  that  otherwise  result  from  the 
"  kick."  It  is,  in  efifect,  a  single  trigger,  five  barrel  gun  with  but  one  barrel  to 
aim,  carry  and  clean. 

BRUCE  MAGAZINE  GUN. 

This  rifle  was  invented  by  Mr.  L.  F.  Bruce  of  Springfield,  Mass.  The  ma^-a- 
zine  lies  beneath  the  receiver  and  is  a  hinged  box  revolving  down  and  to  the  rear ; 
its  capacity  is  five  cartridges.  The  magazine  can  be  cut  off  and  held  in  reserve 
while  the  gun  is  used  as  a  single-loader. 

BUFFINGTON  MAGAZINE  GUN. 

This  gun  belongs  to  the  system  in  which  a  fixed  chamber  is  closed  by  a  mov- 
able breech-block,  sliding  and  rotating,  and  operated  by  a  lever  from  below.  The 
receiver,  to  which  the  barrel  is  attached  in  the  usual  way,  has  a  vertical  slot  en- 


144  AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 

tirely  through  it  for  the  reception  of  the  hreech-hlock,  and  two  grooves,  at  right 
angles  to  each  other,  on  the  inner  surface  of  each  side.  In  these  grooves  the  flat- 
tened ends  of  pivots  passing  through  the  breech-block  slide.  The  various  points 
of  the  breech-block  not  in  the  axes  of  the  pivots,  thus  describe  arcs  of  ellipses 
when  the  block  is  opened  or  closed.  The  block  is  hollowed  out  to  receive  the  ham- 
mer, mainspring,  etc.  The  hammer  is  slotted  to  receive  one  branch  of  the  main- 
spring which  abuts  against  a  pin.  The  other  branch  bears  against  a  similar  pin 
through  the  breech-block.  The  piece  is  locked  by  lugs  projecting  from  pieces 
screwed  to  the  sides  of  the  receiver,  partly  across  its  top  and  entering  grooves  on 
the  hammer.  The  firing-pin  is  retracted,  when  the  block  is  unlocked  or  the  ham- 
mer cocked,  by  a  slot  which  receives  the  head  of  the  pin.  The  extractor  is  a  bent- 
spring  hook  secured  at  its  rear  to  the  breech-block  by  a  pin  and  supported  at  its 
front  by  a  pivot.  In  order  to  open  the  block,  it  is  necessary  to  draw  back  the  ham- 
mer to  a  point  a  little  beyond  the  full  cock,  and  then  control  the  motion  by  a  lever. 
Should  the  hammer  be  let  down  while  the  block  is  open,  it  is  cocked  in  the  act  of 
closing  by  the  edges  of  a  surface  striking  on  projections  on  the  inner  rear  sur- 
face of  the  receiver.  The  magazine  is  in  the  tip-stock.  It  is  provided  with  two 
cartridge  stop-springs.  The  carrier  is  made  of  sheet  steel  brought  to  a  spring 
temper,  and  is  secured  to  the  breech-block  by  a  pivot.  Wlien  the  breech-block 
is  closed  the  carrier-block  descends,  its  spring  keeping  it  in  contact  with  the 
breech-block,  bears  down  on  a  stop-spring,  and  slides  under  the  end  of  the  mag- 
azine-tube. As  it  passes  under  the  tube  inclined  planes  raise  the  ends  of  a  cross- 
piece  riveted  to  the  top-spring,  when  a  cartridge  is  forced  by  the  magazine-spring 
into  the  carrier.  A  cut-off  enables  the  piece  to  be  used  as  a  single-loader.  As  a 
magazine  gun,  three  motions  are  necessary  to  operate,  viz.,  opened,  closed,  fired. 
As  a  single-loader,  four  motions  are  necessary,  viz.,  open,  loaded,  -^losed,  fired. 
This  gun  carries  six  cartridges  in  the  magazine  and  one  in  the  chamber. 

BULLARD  RIFLE. 

This  repeating  rifle  was  introduced  by  Mr,  Bullard,  who  was  for  some  years 
master-mechanic  at  the  Smith  &  Wesson  works.  The  action  of  this  rifle  is  posi- 
tive and  not  dependent  upon  springs.  It  is  self-cocking,  with  a  solid  breech-block 
behind  the  bolt,  which  must  be  in  place  and  securely  locked  before  it  is  possible 
for  the  hammer  to  reach  the  firing-pin.  It  is  possible  to  fire  this  rifle  with  very 
great  rapidity  from  the  fact  that  it  works  easily  and  smoothly  by  reason  of  its  di- 
rect leverage  on  the  work  to  be  done,  the  heaviest  work  being  done  with  the  best 
leverage,  as  in  extracting  the  cartridge,  which  is  started  when  the  lever  is  in  posi- 
tion to  exert  the  greatest  strain.  Cocking  the  hammer  is  also  done  by  direct  lev- 
erage inside  the  receiver  or  frame,  instead  of  a  sliding  motion  of  the  bolt  or  fir- 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS  145 

ing-pin,  on  and  over  the  top  of  the  hammer,  which  is  very  often  Hable  to  grind 
and  always  makes  the  arm  work  hard  and  unpleasantly.  This  rifle  has  been  fired 
12  shots  in  five  seconds,  using  the  U.  S.  Government  cartridge.  The  magazine  is 
charged  from  the  under  side,  and  it  can  be  done  with  equal  facility  by  a  right  or 
left-handed  person.  As  there  are  no  holes  or  spring  covers  on  the  side,  it  is  not 
possible  to  have  it  clogged  by  passing  through  brush  or  laying  it  on  the  ground 
or  in  trenches,  etc.  It  is  also  much  easier  to  load  on  horse-back  than  any  other 
gun,  as  there  is  more  choice  of  position  than  when  the  opening  is  on  the  side.  It 
can  be  loaded  as  a  single-loader  either  top  or  bottom,  leaving  the  magazine  full 
at  all  times  for  an  emergency. 

BURCHARD  REVOLVER. 

This  convenient  revolver  is  ii  inches  in  length,  and  weighs  12]^  ounces.  A 
steady  fire  is  gained  by  the  grip  being  placed  at  the  center  of  gravity.  Parallel 
with  the  barrel  runs  a  magazine  capable  of  holding  eight  cartridges.  By  using 
a  light  adjustable  stock  it  can  be  transformed  into  a  cavalry  carbine.  In  a  recent 
exhibition  it  showed  very  effective  penetration  at  a  range  of  500  metres. 

BURGESS   MAGAZINE  GUN. 

This  gun  belongs  to  that  system  in  which  a  fixed  chamber  is  closed  by  a  bolt, 
sliding  in  front  along  the  axis  of  the  barrel,  and  operated  by  a  lever  from  below. 
The  bolt  is  a  single  piece,  the  rear  of  which  serves  as  a  guide  to  its  motion  by 
sliding  in  grooves  on  the  inner  surface  of  the  receiver.  The  bolt  is  locked  by 
the  interposition  of  a  portion  of  the  breech-block  lever,  between  its  head  and  the 
rear  of  the  receiver.  The  firing-pin,  which  is  in  this  portion  of  the  lever,  passes 
through  the  pivot  and  prevents  it  moving  either  way.  The  firing-pin  is  retained 
in  the  lever  by  a  screw.  The  ejector  lies  in  a  groove  across  the  front  of  the  bolt, 
just  below  the  firing-pin  hole ;  its  rear  terminates  in  a  split  spring,  which,  by  fric- 
tion against  the  side  of  an  under-cut  groove  in  the  side  of  the  bolt,  retains  it  in 
position.  The  ejector  is  driven  forward  against  the  under  side  of  the  head  of  the 
cartridge,  when  the  lever  is  thrown  open  by  its  rear  striking  against  a  shoulder 
on  the  inner  rear  surface  of  the  receiver.  The  bottom  opening  in  the  receiver  is 
closed  by  a  plate,  called  the  lever-guide ;  its  rear  is  terminated  by  a  piece,  the  tenon 
of  which  enters  a  corresponding  mortise  in  the  plane.  An  elongated  hole  in  the 
tenon,  through  which  passes  the  pin  connecting  the  pieces,  permits  motion  of  the 
smaller  part  to  and  from  the  plate.  A  spiral  spring  is  comprised  between  the  two 
pieces.  The  motion  of  the  lever  in  opening  and  closing  is  a  sliding  one.  The 
carrier  is  pivoted  on  two  short  screws  through  the  sides  of  the  receiver.  It  is  op- 
erated by  a  hooked  projection  on  the  bolt-head,  which,  sliding  under  it,  supports 
it  until  tlie  forward  motion  of  the  lever  is  nearly  completed,  when,  by  striking 


146  AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 

against  the  surfaces,  the  carrier  is  rotated  about  the  pivot-screws,  its  front  de- 
scending opposite  the  mouth  of  the  magazine,  which  is  in  the  tip-stock.  The 
hammer  is  cocked  by  the  backward  motion  of  the  bolt  when  the  lever  is  thrown 
forward.  The  piece  is  fired  by  a  center  lock  of  the  usual  pattern.  The  magazine 
is  loaded  through  a  side  cover  in  the  receiver.  No  wiping-rod  is  provided,  and 
there  is  no  cut-off  to  the  magazine.  As  a  magazine  gun  three  motions  are  neces- 
sary to  operate  it,  viz.,  opened,  closed,  fired.  As  a  single-loader  four  motions  are 
necessary,  viz.,  open,  loaded,  closed,  fired.  This  gun  carries  lo  cartridges  in  the 
magazine  and  one  in  the  chamber. 

BURGESS  REPEATING  SHOTGUN. 

This  gun  is  semi-automatic  and  extremely  easy  to  manipulate.  The  left  hand 
has  nothing  to  do  but  supi)ort  the  gun  and  assure  the  aim.  The  handle  locks  in- 
dependent of  the  breech  bolt,  and  has  "lost  motion"  by  which  it  unlocks  the  bolt. 
The  handle  unlocks  by  the  shock  of  recoil  in  firing  the  gun,  and  with  proper 
charge  and  natural  pull  of  the  right  hand,  the  "counter  recoil"  will  start  the  shell 
and  operate  the  handle  to  open  the  breech,  and  the  motion  of  the  right  hand  and 
handle,  being  between  the  two  points  of  support  (the  shoulder  and  left  hand),  and 
the  sliding  motion  substantially  on  a  line  between  the  supports,  the  position  of  the 
gun  is  so  well  maintained  that  in  double  shots  two  hits  in  one  pattern  can  be  made 
in  one-eighth  of  a  second,  and  six  hits  in  less  than  two  seconds.  The  gun  is  con- 
tinually being  pressed  to,  and  in  contact  with,  the  shoulder  while  firing.  In  this 
position  its  operation  is  easy  and  natural,  and  it  is  never  pulled  away  to  return  in 
changed  position  on  the  shoulder  and  spoil  the  aim. 

The  trigger  is  carried  by  the  handle,  and  cannot  reach  the  sear  to  pull  oflF  the 
hammer  until  the  breech  is  closed  and  locked ;  also  the  firing-pin  has  a  solid  cam 
by  which  the  locking  brace  engages  to  pull  it  l)ack,  so  the  firing-pin  cannot  be 
forced  forward  to  striking  position,  except  when  the  bolt  is  locked  by  the  locking 
brace. 

The  double  extractors  engage  each  side  of  the  head  of  the  cartridge,  pulling 
evenly  and  with  great  strength.  They  also  have  down  projections,  which  grasp 
the  head  of  the  cartridge  in  the  magazine,  and  as  the  breech  opens  pull  it  back 
into  feeding  position  in  the  frame,  and  when  raised  by  the  carrier,  hold  it  from 
rising  too  far,  or  from  flying  out. 

The  extractors  continue  their  grip  on  the  cartridge  as  it  moves  forward  into  the 
chamber,  and  only  release  it  when  it  is  being  expelled  from  the  frame. 

BURNSIDE  RIFLE. 

This  rifle  was  formerly  used  in  the  military  service.     It  has  a  movable  cham- 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS  147 

ber  which  opens  by  turning  on  a  hinge.  A  brass  cartridge  case  is  used  which 
packs  the  joints  and  cuts  off  the  escape  of  the  gas.  The  advantages  of  this  arm 
are  its  strength,  waterproof  cartridges,  perfectly  tight  joint,  and  working  machin- 
ery. Its  disadvantages  are  the  cost,  and  difficulty  of  getting  the  cartridges.  When 
first  made,  the  metallic  case  of  the  Burnside  cartridge  (either  of  brass  or  steel) 
was  capped  at  the  larger  end  with  a  lead  ring.  The  case  was  sHghtly  conical,  with 
a  small  hole  at  the  smaller  end.  The  manner  of  inserting  the  cartridge  and  ex- 
tracting the  shell  after  firing  was  similar  to  that  employed  at  the  present  time. 

BURTON  MAGAZINE  GUN. 

In  principle  this  gun  does  not  differ  from  the  Ward-Burton.  The  points  of  dif- 
ference in  construction  are  as  follows :  The  joint  between  the  body  of  the  bolt 
and  its  head  is  transferred  in  this  gun  to  the  rear,  so  that  the  body  of  the  bolt 
takes  the  place  of  the  head,  while  the  rear  portion  serves  simply  to  lock  it.  As 
the  body  of  the  bolt  does  not  rotate,  the  sear-bolt  slot  at  right  angles  to  its  axis 
is  dispensed  with,  giving,  it  is  claimed,  a  stronger  bolt.  The  extractor,  though 
called  a  lever-extractor,  is  a  spring  hook  pinned  to  the  bolt  near  its  front.  The 
rear  of  the  extractor  is  thickened  so  as  to  bear  against  a  cam  on  the  firing-pin, 
which  prevents  a  descent  of  its  rear  with  the  corresponding  rise  of  its  front.  In 
withdrawing  a  shell  the  spring  can  only  be  from  the  front  portion  alone.  The 
trigger  spring  serves  also  to  hold  the  carrier  in  place.  The  carrier  is  composed 
of  two  principal  parts  separated  at  front  by  a  flat  spring.  The  lower  portion, 
which  is  pivoted  at  its  rear  to  the  upper,  has  on  its  front  a  sort  of  finger,  which 
may  be  made  to  pass  through  a  slot  in  the  upper  portion  so  as  to  project  partly 
across  the  mouth  of  the  magazine,  cutting  off  the  escape  of  cartridges  by  simply 
turning  a  set  screw  in  rear  of  the  pivot.  The  motions  are  the  same  as  in  the 
Ward-Burton.  This  gun  carries  eight  cartridges  in  the  magazine  and  one  in  the 
chamber.    See  Ward-Burton  Magazine  Gun. 

CHAFFEE  MAGAZINE  GUN. 

This  gun  belongs  to  that  system  in  which  a  fixed  chamber  is  closed  by  a  movable 
breech-block,  sliding  and  rotating,  and  operated  by  a  lever  from  below.  On  the 
inner  surface  of  the  receiver  are  two  circular  guides  which  enter  grooves  in  the 
breech-block  and  over  which  the  breech-block  slides.  The  block  is  a  single  piece 
hollowed  out  to  receive  the  hammer  and  the  mainspring.  At  the  front  of  the 
block  is  the  firing-pin,  limited  in  its  motion  by  a  screw.  The  breech-block  is  op- 
erated by  a  lever.  The  front  of  the  lever  is  hinged  to  the  front  of  the  breech- 
block ;  its  middle  is  hinged  to  two  arms  which  are  in  turn  hinged  to  the  sides  of 
the  receiver.     The  hammer  is  cocked  when  the  breech-block  lever  is  thrown  open 


148  AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 

by  the  pressure  of  the  lever-hook  on  the  face  of  the  hammer,  which  forces  the 
latter  back  until  the  nose  of  the  sear — which  is  a  part  of  the  trigger — enters  a 
notch.  Reverse  motion  of  the  lever  closes  the  block,  which  is  locked  by  a  projec- 
tion on  the  lever,  entering  a  recess  in  the  block  and  in  the  sides  of  the  receiver. 
The  extractor  is  not  rigidly  connected  with  the  breech-block,  but  has  a  longitudi- 
nal motion  along  its  side.  It  does  not  begin  to  draw  the  shell  until  the  breech- 
block has  moved  to  the  rear  nearly  an  inch,  when  a  shoulder  on  the  extractor 
strikes  a  corresponding  one  on  the  block,  after  which  both  move  together.  The 
object  of  the  extractor  projecting  so  far  in  front  of  the  block  is  to  support  the 
cartridges  as  they  leave  the  magazine  on  their  way  to  the  chamber.  A  shoulder 
on  the  bottom  of  the  carrier  serves  as  an  ejector.  Its  effect  is  to  rotate  the  empty 
shells  through  the  opening  in  the  bottom  of  the  receiver  to  the  ground.  The  mag- 
azine is  in  the  butt-stock.  The  shape  of  the  inner  surface  of  the  carrier  at  its 
front  is  such  that  the  point  of  the  cartridge  as  it  leaves  it  is  opposite  the  center 
of  the  chamber.  An  inclined  rear  surface  of  the  carrier  prevents  the  rear  of  the 
cartridge  from  rising  while  on  its  way  to  the  chamber.  When  the  lever  is  thrown 
open  a  spring  at  the  front  of  the  carrier  causes  its  rear  to  descend  opposite  the 
mouth  of  the  magazine.  In  this  position  it  serves  as  a  cartridge-stop,  preventing 
the  escape  of  other  cartridges.  There  is  no  cut-off  to  the  magazine,  nor  can  there 
be,  each  motion  of  the  lever  being  accompanied  with  a  corresponding  motion  of  the 
ratchet.  As  a  single-loader,  the  piece  is  loaded  through  the  carrier,  the  rear  of 
which  is  opened  by  depressing  the  front ;  this  should  be  done  before  the  lever  is 
opened.  The  trigger  is  locked  by  a  set-screw  when  the  piece  is  carried  at  full-cock. 
As  a  magazine  gun  three  movements  are  necessary  to  operate,  viz.,  opened,  closed, 
fired.  As  a  single-loader,  four  motions  are  necessary,  viz.,  loaded,  opened,  closed, 
fired.  The  gun  carries  six  cartridges  in  the  magazine,  one  in  the  carrier  and  one 
in  the  chamber. 

CHAFFEE-REECE  MAGAZINE  GUN. 

This  arm,  an  improvement  on  the  Chaffee  magazine  gun,  belongs  to  that  sys- 
tem of  bolt-guns  in  which  a  fixed  chamber  is  closed  by  a  movable  breech-bolt  slid- 
ing and  rotating.  The  magazine  is  in  the  butt-stock.  The  cartridges  are  held  in 
the  magazine  by  two  ratchet-bars,  one  fixed  and  the  other  sliding,  and  operated 
when  the  bolt  is  turned  back  and  closed.  The  magazine  having  been  loaded,  the 
bolt  is  thrown  open  and  each  tooth  of  the  sliding-bar  passes  behind  the  head  of 
the  cartridge  next  in  its  rear.  The  closing  of  the  bolt  moves  the  ratchet  forward, 
bringing  each  cartridge  its  own  length  further  to  the  front.  The  cartridges  arc 
firmly  held  in  position,  so  that  they  are  not  and  cannot  be  in  contact  with  each 
other,  which  is  positive  prevention  from  accidental  explosions. 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS  149 

The  frequent  accidents  and  loss  of  life  from  premature  explosions  by  magazine 
arms  induced  many  gun  mechanics,  among  the  number  Mr.  Chaffee,  to  undertake 
to  invent  a  magazine  arm  that  should  be  free  from  that  objection,  and  after  sev- 
eral years  of  study  and  hard  work,  and  a  large  outlay  of  money,  he  produced  this 
arm.  which  upon  a  test  trial,  before  a  board  of  army  officers,  has  demonstrated 
the  fact  that  he  has  succeeded  in  doing  it.  This  arm  can  be  used  as  a  single- 
shooter  until  occasion  requires  the  delivery  of  shots  more  frequently  than  would 
be  jiossible  if  the  arm  had  to  be  loaded  after  each  discharge,  when,  by  the  turn 
of  D.  button,  seven  extra  charges  will  be  available  which  can  be  delivered  in  four 
seconds  or  less. 

CHARLEVILLE  MUSKET. 

The  first  regulation  arm  used  by  the  United  States  army  was  the  Charleville 
musket.  This  was  the  French  national  arm,  model  1763.  Marquis  de  la  Fayette 
brought  a  large  number  of  them  to  this  country  during  the  Revolutionary  War, 
and  they  were  duplicated  to  some  extent  by  our  best  gun  makers.  They  carried 
an  ounce  ball.  It  was  not  until  1814,  that  the  first  rifle  was  manuiactured  by  the 
United  States  Government  at  Harper's  Ferry.  This  was  a  flintlock  rifle,  with  half 
octagon  barrel ;  it  had  a  short  fore-stock,  hooked  butt-plate  and  a  patch-box  in  the 
stock.  The  arm  had  brass  mountings,  and  was  more  of  a  sporting  pattern  than 
military.    This  rifle  shot  a  half  ounce  ball. 

CLEMMONS  MAGAZINE  GUN. 

This  gun  is  an  adaptation  of  a  magazine  to  the  Springfield  rifle.  The  altera- 
tions are  as  follows :  The  left  side  of  the  receiver  is  cut  away  nearly  to  the  bot- 
tom of  the  well.  The  portion  removed  is  replaced  by  a  piece  the  interior  of  which 
is  somewhat  the  shape  of  the  half-cartridge.  This  piece  is  open  at  the  rear  in  or- 
der to  receive  cartridges  from  the  magazine.  A  groove  is  cut  in  the  left  side  of 
the  butt-stock  for  the  magazine-tube  and  is  covered  by  a  brass  plate.  The  maga- 
zine-spring and  cartridge-follower  are  of  the  usual  form.  To  the  rear  of  the 
follower  one  end  of  a  piece  of  tape  is  attached ;  the  other  end  is  wound  up,  draw- 
ing back  the  follower  and  compressing  the  magazine-spring.  On  the  inner  sur- 
face of  the  piece  attached  to  the  receiver  is  a  spring,  pivoted  at  its  front.  This 
spring  has  a  thumb-piece,  which  may  be  locked  back  by  a  spring  catch.  The  split 
spring  serves  as  a  magazine  cartridge  stop.  The  magazine-spring  having  been 
compressed  by  winding  up  the  clockwork,  the  magazine  is  filled  with  cartridges  by 
backing  them  down  from  the  receiver.  A  pawl  is  then  released  from  a  ratchet,  by 
means  of  a  slide,  and  the  magazine-spring  bears  on  the  column  of  cartridges. 
When  the  breech-block  is  closed  it  strikes  the  thumb-piece,  presses  it  back  and  lets 


150  AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 

in  a  cartridge  from  the  magazine.  By  pressing  on  this  thumb-piece,  the  breech- 
block having  been  opened  sufficiently  to  overcome  the  spring-catch,  the  cartridge 
is  thrown  into  the  receiver ;  it  must  be  then  pushed  into  the  chamber  in  the  usual 
way. 

As  a  magazine  gun,  six  motions  are  necessary  to  operate  it,  viz.,  cocked,  opened, 
loaded  (two  motions),  closed,  fired.  As  a  single-loader,  the  usual  five  motions  are 
necessary  to  operate  it,  The  gun  carries  five  cartridges  in  the  magazine,  one  op- 
posite the  receiver  and  one  in  the  chamber. 

COLT  ARMS. 

The  Colt's  Patent  Fire  Arms  Manufacturing  Company's  product  is  too  well 
known  to  require  a  lengthy  or  detailed  description.  After  a  careful  description  of 
the  latest  achievement — the  automatic  Colt  pistol,  a  brief  mention  and  illustration 
of  the  models,  at  this  time  manufactured,  will  follow.  The  new  automatic  pistol 
possesses  features  which  are  strikingly  novel  and  original  and  which  place  the 
weapon  in  the  front  rank  of  small  arms.  It  is  made  in  38  caliber,  using  a  special 
rimless  cartridge  having  a  jacketed  bullet.  The  cartridge  gives  a  muzzle  velocity 
of  about  1,300  feet  per  second  and  a  penetration  of  about  11  inches  in  pine.  The 
magazine  contains  seven  cartridges,* and  any  desired  number  of  the  magazines 
can  be  carried  with  the  pistol,  which  can  be  fired  at  the  rate  of  seven  shots  in  i  2-5 
seconds.  The  accuracy  of  the  pistol  is  remarkable,  and  the  design  of  the  arm  is 
such  that  the  recoil  is  in  a  great  measure  absorbed,  so  that  the  marksman  has  no 
annoyance  from  this  cause.  Further  than  this,  and  a  characteristic  of  the  con- 
struction of  the  greatest  importance,  is  the  ease  with  which  the  pistol  can  be 
taken  apart  for  inspection  or  cleaning. 

The  action  of  this  pistol  is  automatic,  with  the  exception  that  the  trigger  has 
to  be  pulled  for  firing  each  shot.  The  cartridges  are  automatically  supplied  to  the 
pistol  from  a  detachable  magazine,  which,  after  being  filled  with  cartridges,  is  in- 
serted into  the  handle  of  the  pistol.  After  thus  charging  the  pistol  with  a  full 
magazine,  one  opening  movement  is  made  by  hand,  after  which  the  loading  of  the 
cartridge  into  the  barrel,  the  firing  on  touching  the  trigger,  the  extraction  of  the 
empty  shell  after  firing,  and  the  reloading  of  a  new  cartridge  into  the  barrel,  all 
take  place  automatically,  without  any  manipulation  whatever.  The  automatic 
operation  of  the  pistol  is  actuated  by  the  recoil  of  the  moving  parts,  and  the  recoil, 
being  thus  utilized  and  absorbed,  has  no  disturbing  effect. 

The  operation  of  the  pistol  is  as  follows :  When  a  charged  magazine  is  inserted 
into  the  handle  the  slide  is  once  drawn  to  the  rear  by  hand,  thereby  cocking  the 
hammer.  In  this  position  of  the  slide,  the  magazine  follower  and  follower  spring 
raise  the  topmost  cartridge  so  as  to  bring  it  into  the  path  of  the  bolt.    On  releasing 

♦Tlie  Military  model  38  caliber  and  a  Pocket  model  32  caliber,  rimless,  smokeless,  have 
magazines  containing  eight  cartridges. 


AMERICAN    SMALL  ARMS  151 

the  slide  it,  with  the  bolt,  is  carried  forward  by  the  retractor  spring,  and  during- 
this  movement  the  bolt  forces  the  topmost  cartridge  into  the  barrel.  As  the  slide 
approaches  its  forward  position  the  front  of  the  bolt  encounters  the  rear  end  of 


the  barrel  and  forces  the  latter  to  its  forward  position.  During  this  forward  move- 
ment the  barrel  swings  forward  and  upward  on  the  links,  and  thus  the  locking 
ribs  on  the  barrel  are  carried  into  the  locking  recesses  in  the  slide,  and  barrel  and 
slide  are  thereby  positively  interlocked  and  the  pistol  is  ready  for  firing. 

A  slight  pull  on  the  trigger  now  serves  to  move  the  sear  so  as  to  release  the 
hammer  and  fire  a  shot.  The  force  of  the  powder  gases  driving  the  bullet  from 
the  barrel  is  rearwardly  exerted  against  the  bolt  and,  overcoming  the  inertia  of 
the  slide  and  the  tension  of  the  retractor  spring,  causes  the  slide  and  the  barrel  to 
recoil  together.  After  moving  rearward  together  for  a  distance,  enough  to  insure 
the  bullet  having  passed  from  the  barrel,  the  downward  swinging  movement  of 
the  barrel  releases  the  latter  from  the  slide  and  stops  the  barrel  in  its  rearmost 
position.  The  momentum  of  the  slide  causes  the  latter  to  continue  its  rearward 
movement,  thereby  again  cocking  the  hammer  and  compressing  the  retractor 
spring  until,  as  the  slide  arrives  at  its  rearmost  position,  the  empty  shell  is  ejected 
from  the  side  of  the  pistol  and  another  cartridge  is  raised  in  front  of  the  bolt. 
During  the  return  or  forward  movement  of  the  slide,  caused  by  the  retractor 
spring,  the  cartridge  is  driven  into  the  barrel  and  the  slide  and  barrel  are  inter- 
locked, thus  making  the  pistol  ready  for  another  shot.  These  operations  may  be 
continued  so  long  as  there  are  cartridges  in  the  magazine,  each  discharge  requiring 
only  the  slight  pull  on  the  trigger. 

The  pistol  is  provided  with  a  safety  device,  which  makes  it  impossible  to  release 
the  hammer  unless  the  slide  and  the  barrel  are  in  their  forward  position  and  safely 
interlocked.  This  safety  device  also  serves  to  control  the  firing  and  to  prevent 
more  than  one  shot  being  fired  for  each  pull  of  the  trigger.  The  safety  device 
consists  in  a  small  vertical  piece  mounted  in  front  of  the  sear  in  the  receiver,  and  in 
its  raised  position  finds  a  corresponding  recess  in  the  bottom  of  the  bolt,  when  the 
latter,  with  the  slide,  is  in  the  forward  position  interlocked  with  the  barrel.  In 
this  raised  position  the  safety  piece  does  not  interfere  with  the  operation  of  the 
trigger,  but  when  the  slide  is  moved  rearward  the  bottom  of  the  bolt  depresses 


152  AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 

the  safety  piece,  which,  in  that  position,  prevents  the  movements  of  the  trigger 
from  operating  the  sear,  and  thus  the  hammer  cannot  be  released  until  the  slide  is 
again  in  its  forward  position,  locked  to  the  barrel. 

The  locking  of  the  firing  pin  by  the  firing  pin  lock,  so  that  it  cannot  reach  the 
primer  of  the  cartridge  cyen  if  struck  by  the  hammer,  insures  the  safe  handling  of 
the  pistol  when  not  in  use.  The  fact  that  the  firing  Din  lock  is  also  the  rear  sight 
of  the  pistol  prevents  ineffectual  attempts  to  shoot  the  arm  without  first  having 
released  the  firing  pin  lock.  The  sighting  notch  in  the  top  of  the  firing  pin  lock  is 
cut  at  such  an  angle  that  when  the  lock  is  depressed  the  notch  cannot  be  brought 
into  line  with  the  front  sight. 

The  solid  frame  which  is  the  ideal  construction  for  a  revolver  that  is  to  stand 
rough  usage,  was  originated  and  perfected  by  the  Colt's  Company,  and  they  re- 
gard the  adoption  of  this  arm  by  all  branches  of  the  Government  service  as  the 
ultimate  test  of  the  success  of  their  labors.  It  is  made  in  a  variety  of  sizes  and 
styles  to  suit  all  shooters.  A  line  of  these  revolvers  is  called  the  "Swing  Out" 
cylinder,  the  cylinder  being  hung  on  a  hinge  which  permits  it  to  be  dropped  to 
one  side  so  that  all  of  the  cartridges  may  be  simultaneously  ejected  and  all  the 
chambers  re-loaded  with  great  rapidity  before  the  cylinder  is  again  returned  to 
the  shooting  position. 

The  "New  Service"  revolver  is  a  heavy  frame  double  action  revolver,  made  in 
a  great  variety  of  calibers  and  used  largely  in  the  English  Army  by  officers  and 
men  for  whose  use  it  is  adapted  to  the  4^o,  455,  and  476  Ely  cartridges.     This 


model  with  special  construction  and  sisrhts  is  also  the  ideal  target  revolver  for 
shooters  desinng  a  double  action  arm,  and  has  beeii  the  winner  of  many  prizes, 
not  only  at  the  Bislcy  Meet  in  England,  but  at  all  tlie  Revolver  Tournaments  of 
the  world  ever  since  its  introduction. 

The  arm  which  has  been  adopted  by  all  branches  of  the  United  States  Govern- 
ment Service,  5s  very  similar  in  its  construction  to  the  arm  iust  described,  al- 
though it  is  not  quite  so  heavy.  A  "New  Service"  with  syj-inch  barrel  weighs 
35  ounces,  while  the  Army  and  Navy  revolver  with  6-inch  barrel  weighs  32 
ounces.    This  model  is  made  in  two  calibers  only,  the  .38  center  fire  which  uses 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS  153 

the  lono-  (U.  S.  Service  cartridpfe)  or  the  short  Colt,  and  the  .41  center  fire  using 


the  .41  long  and  short  Colt.     There  are  three  lengths  of  barrel  in  this  as  in  all 
other  models. 

Somewhat  similar  to  the  preceding  is  the  "New  Police"  revolver,  constructed 
with  the  idea  of  providing  a  strong  serviceable  effective  arm  of  small  enough  size 
to  be  conveniently  carried  in  the  pocket,  and  yet  with  the  firm  grip  and  strong 
features  of  the  best  target  and  military  arms.     It  is  made  only  in  the  .32  caliber, 


and  may  be  adapted  to  the  use  of  the  long  and  short  Colt  cartridges  or  the  .32  long 
and  short.  The  weight  with  a  4-inch  barrel  is  only  17  ounces.  The  shortest  barrel 
applied  to  this  model  is  23^  inches ;  the  longest,  6  inches.  A  special  police  cart- 
ridge is  supplied  for  this  revolver  where  it  is  intended  to  be  used  for  heavy  work, 
the  square  nose  construction  of  the  bullet  giving  it  an  effective  stopping  force  as 
though  the  caliber  were  much  greater. 

An  arm  very  similar  in  all  respects  to  the  one  just  described,  is  the  "New  Pock- 
et" revolver.    The  weights,  dimensions  and  ammunition  are  the  same.     The  prin- 


cipal difference  in  the  two  arms,  is  that  the  New  Pocket  has  a  smaller  handle 
which  makes  the  revolver  particularly  useful  as  a  light  pocket  arm. 

Built  on  this  same  model,  but  made  only  with  a  6-inch  barrel,  and  supplied  with 
target  sights  and  adjustment,  is  the  "New  Police"  target  or  ladies'  target  revolver, 
made  only  in  the  .32  caliber  like  its  relatives  just  described. 


154  AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 

This  arm  is  the  most  desirable  high  grade  weapon  obtainable  for  all  kinds  of 
target  and  gallery  work. 

The  so-called  double  action  model  is  made  in  the  .38  and  .41  caliber,  adapted 
in  each  instance  to  the  use  of  the  long  and  short  cartridges.  To  the  43/:^-inch 
and  6-inch  barrels  there  is  affixed  a  "Rod  Ejector"  by  means  of  which  the  empty 


cartridges  may  be  one  by  one  driven  out  of  the  cylinder  without  removing  the 
cylinder  from  its  seat.  The  2>^-inch  and  31^-inch  barrels  are  not  supplied  with 
this  device. 

The  single  action  Army  and  Frontier  revolver  is  the  heavy  arm  which  in  one  or 
the  other  of  its  many  calibers  is  invariably  the  companion  of  the  pioneer  and  cat- 
tle-man, because  it  is  always  serviceable  and  may  be  used  as  a  weapon  of  offence 


or  defence  in  any  one  of  several  ways.  It  is  simple  in  construction,  and  adapted 
to  hard  work  in  places  where  gun  shops  are  not  to  be  met  with.  Its  weight  with 
7!/^ -inch  barrel  is  39  ounces. 

A  close  inspection  of  the  drawing  of  the  Bisley  revolver  will  show  that  it  is 
the  same  weapon  as  the  one  just  described  with  certain  modifications,  these  being 
principally  in  the  form  of  the  hammer  which  makes  it  easier  to  manage  with  the 
shooting  hand ;  the  form  of  grip  which  many  experts  regard  as  more  convenient, 
and  comfortable  in  taking  an  exact  and  steady  aim ;  the  shape  of  the  trigger ;  and 
reduced  length  of  pull  which  is  adapted  especially  for  fine  work.  The  target  re- 
volver of  this  model  is  the  same  weapon,  with  extra  fine  adjustment  and  target 
sights. 

No  description  of  the  product  of  the  Colt's  Company  would  be  quite  complete 
without  a  mention  of  the  Derringer,  a  vest  pocket  weapon,  weighing  but  6^/2 
ounces,  with  2:^-inch  barrel,  and  shooting  a  41  caliber  rim  fire  cartridge,  loaded 
with  ten  grains  of  powder  and  153  grains  of  lead. 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS  156 

The  well  known  Colt  rifle  is  made  at  present  in  the  22  caliber  only.  It  shoots 
the  long  and  short  22  caliber  rim  fire  cartridges,  and  they  may  be  loaded  indis- 
criminately one  after  another  into  the  magazine.     Except  when  the  hammer  is 


down  the  handle  is  locked  in  its  forward  position.  The  rifle  weighs  about  six 
pounds  and  can  be  fitted  with  the  adjustable  hammer  which  serves  the  same  pur- 
pose as  a  set  trigger. 

COMBLAIN  RIFLE. 

This  arm,  although  not  strictly  American,  has  embodied  in  its  manufacture 
several  American  patents.  It  is  a  breech-loader  and  very  much  resembling  the 
Sharps  rifle.  The  mountings,  receiver  and  breech-block  are  made  of  Phosphorus- 
bronze;  the  barrel  is  made  of  steel.  The  militia  of  Belgium  are  armed  with  this 
rifle,  while  the  regular  troops  have  the  Albini-Brandlin  gun . 

CONROY  RIFLE. 

This  breech-loading  arm  has  a  fixed  chamber  closed  by  a  movable  breech-block, 
which  rotates  about  a  horizontal  axis  at  90  degrees  to  the  axis  of  the  barrel,  and 
lying  above  the  axis  of  the  barrel  and  in  rear — being  moved  from  below.  This 
arm  is  provided  with  a  falling  breech-block,  moved  by  a  sliding  trigger-guard, 
the  withdrawal  of  which  retracts  the  firing-pin,  brings  the  hammer  to  the  half- 
cock,  and  drops  the  block,  which  strikes  in  its  descent  and  operates  the  usual 
bent-lever  extractor.  By  pushing  the  trigger-guard  forward  again  the  block  is 
raised,  when  by  bringing  the  hammer  to  the  full-cock,  the  piece  is  closed  and  ready 
to  be  fired.  The  blow  of  the  hammer  is  not  delivered  directly  upon  the  firing-pin, 
but  on  an  intermediate  lever  pivoted  below  its  point  of  impact  on  the  firing-pin, 
and  striking  it  so  as  to  impel  it  forward  in  the  line  of  the  axis  of  the  bore.  This 
gun  has  been  modified  by  substituting  for  the  sliding-guard  the  more  powerful 
motor  found  in  the  usual  swinging  guard-lever,  the  angle  formed  by  which  with 
the  stock  when  the  piece  is  opened  being  about  30  degrees. 

CULLEN  RIFLE. 

A  magazine-gun  carrying  a  great  number  of  cartridges,  as  many  as  40  or  50. 
This  arm  has  been  used  to  some  extent  in  the  United  States,  but  has  not  met  with 
any  considerable  success. 


156 


AMERICAN    SMALL    ARMS 


CHARLES   DALY   GUNS 

These  g-uns  are  made  by  Mr.  Charles  Daly,  of  New  York,  in  his  factory  in 
Prussia.  They  are  made  entirely  by  hand,  and  are  considered  by  many  sportsmen 
the  finest  hand-made  guns  in  the  market.  They  have  a  number  of  special  features 
that  are  peculiar  to  them,  and  which  are  said  to  be  very  important,  as  they 
increase  the  strength  as  well  as  the  shooting  qualities.  These  guns  are  made 
in  Suhl,  as  Mr.  Daly  has  found  that  he  can  get  better  mechanics  in  that  country 
than  any  other  to  work  on  fine  firearms.  This  town  produces  only  high  grade 
guns,  and  there  are  probably  more  fine  guns  made  in  this  place  for  the  aristocracy 
of  Europe  than  in  any  other  city  in  the  world.  Thousands  of  satisfied  customers 
testify  to  the  shooting  qualities,  fitting,  balance,  and  beautiful  lines  of  Charles 
Daly  guns. 


Fig.  I. — View  showing  Action  and  Engraving  of  the 
Charles  Daly  Diamond  Quality  Gun  No.  375. 

It  is  conceded  that  no  gun  makers  give  more  attention  to  details,  such  as 
inside  lock  work,  fitting,  finishing  of  barrels,  etc.,  than  does  the  Charles  Daly 
factory.  The  writer  has  used  these  guns  with  much  pleasure  and  satisfaction. 
Figure  i  shows  the  hammerless.  made  in  8.  10,  12,  16,  and  20  gauge;  weight, 
53/<  to  14  pounds ;  length  of  barrels.  26  to  34  inches.  Figure  2  shows  the  three- 
barrel  hammerless  guns,  with  open  front  sight  and  folding  peep  sight.  It  is 
made  in  12  or  16  gauge  shotgun  barrel,  .30-30  or  .38-55  ritle  cartridges:  weight, 
jYi  pounds ;  length  of  barrel,  28  inches.  The  general  idea  of  a  three-barrel  gun 
is  that  it  must  necessarily  be  chmisy.  heav\-  and  ungainl\-.  Tliis  notion  vanishes 
on  seeing  the  Daly  three-barrel  giui.     It  balances,  handles,  and  weighs  the  same 


AMERICAN    SMALL    ARMS 


157 


as  any  high  grade  double  barrel  shotgun.     The  shooting  of  both  shotgun  and 
rifle  barrels  is  equal  to  the  best  shotgun  or  rifle.    There  is  no  more  desirable  gun 


m  r 


Fig.  2.— Breech  View  of  the  Charles  Daly  Three-Barrel  Hammerless  Gun. 

made  for  use  in  countries  where  both  large  and  small  game  abound.     Charles 
Daly  guns  are  high  grade  only — prices  ranging  from  $90.00  to  $500.00. 

DAVENPORT  ARMS. 

All  Davenport  single  guns  and  rifles,  thoroughly  high  grade  in  material,  work- 
manship and  construction,  combine  in  a  marked  degree  the  elements  of  safety, 
durability,  utility  and  convenience.  In  1894  the  makers  introduced  the  first  auto- 
matic shell  ejecting  device  ever  used  on  single  breech  loading  shot  guns.  This 
was  perfected  and  patented  in  1895,  the  later  improvement  making  it  the 
only  positive  and  reliable  ejector  used  on  guns  of  this  kind.  It  never  fails 
to  work  satisfactorily,  and  was  the  first  gun  of  its  class  provided  with  an  automatic 
ejector.  In  this  gun  the  screw  key,  besides  being  the  means  of  securely  fastening 
the  frame  and  barrel  together,  and  affording  a  ready  means  of  taking  them  apart, 
serves  also  as  the  hinge  pin  in  operating  the  gun,  and  being  slightly  tapering, 
acts  as  a  compensator  in  case  of  wear,  thereby  always  insuring  a  tight  joi-^t  when 
the  gun  is  closed. 

The  automatic  ejector  is  simple  and  durable  in  its  construction  and  forcible  in 
its  action,  and  with  no  more  liability  of  getting  out  of  order  than  any  other  part 
of  ordinary  gun  construction,  besides  being  automatic  in  its  action,  is  provided 
with  a  positive  attachment,  making  failure  to  eject  to  a  serviceable  limit  impos- 
sible. The  construction  of  the  gun  throughout  gives  strength  of  mechanism, 
rapidity  of  fire  and  ease  of  manipulation ;  is  easily  and  quickly  taken  apart  and  put 


158 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 


together,  easily  cleaned,  and  very  compact  for  transportation.  This  model  shown 
in  Figure  i,  is  the  standard  pattern  for  this  grade,  having  the  barrels  taper  choke 
bored,  a  system  that  insures  the  strongest  close  shooting  qualities.  The  lock  parts 
are  made  of  fine  tempered  steel,  and  are  interchangeable.     The  gauges  are  12,  16 


Figure  i. 

and  20,  and  barrels  from  28  to  36  inches  in  length.  The  Elita  and  Goose  guns 
are  specially  designed  for  light  and  heavy  shooting,  respectively.  In  the  latter 
the  weights  run  from  11  to  11^  pounds.    An  extra  heavy  taper  screw  key  hinge 


Figure  2. 

pin  is  used  in  these  guns.  The  barrels,  frames  and  stocks  are  all  proportionately 
heavy  and  strong.  This  secures  not  only  a  large  gun  for  heavy  charges,  but  a 
well  balanced  one.    The  positive  extractor  on  these  guns  brings  the  shell  well  out 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 


169 


of  the  chamber  where  it  can  be  handled  readily.  The  Acme  gun,  shown  in  Figure 
2,  has  been  on  the  market  for  several  years,  and  has  given  universal  satisfaction. 
The  parts  are  few  and  simple,  and  not  likely  to  get  out  of  order.  On  this  gun  we 
find  the  taper  screw  hinge  pin,  which  takes  up  wear  and  insures  a  tight  joint. 
The  barrels  are  tapered  choke  bored  for  long  close  shooting.  The  extractor  used 
in  this  gun  is  one  of  the  best  positive  extractors  in  use  on  single  guns ;  it  is  simple 
and  strong,  two  features  that  make  it  positive  in  action. 

The  Brownie  rifle,  now  made  to  replace  the  model  of  1891,  shown  in  Figure  3, 
with  shortened  barrel,  has  the  perfected  automatic  'ejector,  w'hich  feature  of  merit 
is  readily  recognized  by  shortness  of  small  caliber  rifles.     It  is  also  fitted  with  the 


Figure  3. 

taper  screw  fastening,  which  readily  permits  detaching  the  barrel  from  the  stock 
for  packing  or  thorough  cleaning.  The  gun  is. chambered  for  standard  long  and 
short  rim  fire  ammunition,  carefully  rifled,  and  fitted  with  fine  open  sights. 

DAVIS  GUNS. 

The  N.  R.  Davis  &  Sons  '  guns  are  cross  bolted,  with  combined  automatic 
and  independent  safety.     The  hammerless,  shown  in  Figure  i,  is  choke  bored 


Figure  i. 
for  nitro  or  black  powder,  has  extended  matted  rib  and  double  bolt,  one  on 


160  AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 

lug  of  barrel  and  square  cross  bolt  through  the  extended  rib.  The  gun  cocks 
by  the  opening  of  the  barrels,  and  the  seres  and  triggers  are  both  blocked  by 
a  positive  motion,  thus  avoiding  all  danger  from  jarring  off  or  premature 
puUing  off,  by  trigger  or  otherwise.  The  Safety  can  be  used  as  automatic  or 
independent,  a  very  desirable  feature  for  rapid  firing.  The  gun  can  be  put 
together  or  taken  apart  with  the  hammers  in  any  position  and  without  any 
extra  operation.  The  hammers  may  also  be  let  down  without  snapping.  To 
let  the  hammers  down,  move  the  safety  sHde  back  as  far  as  possible  when  the 
gun  is  open  and  cocked.  Then  holding  the  triggers  out  of  their  notches  in 
the  hammers  close  the  gun.  12  guage,  28  to  32  inches  long,  weighs  7  to 
8  1-4  lbs. 

The  hammer  gun,  shown  in  Figure  2,  has  the  popular  top  snap  with  straight 
matted  rib;  full  pistol  grip  stock  with  rubber  cap,  grip  and  for  end  checked; 
and  low  circular  hammers,  square  cross  bolt  through  extension  rib.  The 
gun  is  made  on  the  interchangeable  system  with  rebounding  bar  locks.  Solid 
and  straight  large  head  plungers,  choke  bored  for  close  and  hard  shooting. 


Figure  2. 

with  nitro  or  black  powder.  The  gun  is  botli  10  and  12  bore.  The  10  bore 
hammerless,  especially  designed  for  sea  fowl  and  large  game,  is  now  being, 
discontinued. 

DEAN  MAGAZINE  GUN. 

The  breech-block  of  this  gun  is  operated  by  a  small  lover,  through  the  inter- 1 
vention  of  two  links,  the  latter  of  which  causes  the  recoil  block  to  descend  while 
the  former  forces  the  breech-block  to  the  rear,  when  the  lever  is  thrown  to  the! 
front.  The  lock  is  of  the  usual  outside  pattern.  Two  magazines  are  provided,  one] 
in  the  butt  and  one  in  the  tip-stock.  The  carrier,  which  is  open  at  both  ends  to| 
receive  cartridges  from  either  magazine,  has  a  vertical  motion  at  right  angles  to 
the  axis  of  the  piece.     It  is  operated  by  the  lever  in  the  same  general  manner  as 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS  161 

the  Winchester  repeater.     This  gun  carries  ten  cartridges  in  the  tip-stock  maga- 
zine, six  in  the  butt-stock  and  one  in  the  chamber. 

DEXTER  RIFLE. 

A  breech-loading  small-arm  possessing  a  fixed  chamber  closed  by  a  movable 
breech-block,  which  rotates  about  a  horizontal  axis  at  90  degrees  to  the  axis  of 
the  barrel,  lying  below  the  axis  of  the  barrel  and  in  front — being  moved  from 
above  by  a  thumb-piece. 

The  arm  is  opened  by  half — or  full — cocking  the  hammer,  and  then  swinging 
down  the  breech-block  by  depressing  the  thumb-piece  on  the  right  side  of  the 
frame.  This  pushes  back  the  firing-pin  and  the  locking-brace,  by  the  cam  acting 
on  the  firing-pin  retractor  and  locking-brace  retractor  respectively.  It  is  closed 
by  raising  the  thumb-piece,  so  as  to  swing  the  breech-block  up  into  place.  In  so 
doing,  the  locking-brace  is  thrown  forward  by  its  spring  into  place  under  the 
breech-block,  as  soon  as  the  latter  is  closed. 

The  piece  is  locked  by  the  position  of  the  locking-brace,  the  lower  end  of  which 
abuts  upon  the  guard,  and  is  fired  by  a  center-lock  of  the  usual  pattern.  Both 
extraction  and  ejection  are  accomplished  by  a  revolving  extractor,  pivoted  near 
the  breech-block  pin,  and  struck  by  the  block  in  its  descent.  In  opening  the  block 
the  locking-brace  is  forced  against  the  trigger,  and  is  held  there  by  the  block ;  the 
hammer,  therefore,  cannot  be  made  to  fall  while  the  piece  is  opened. 

DURST  GUN. 

This  magazine  gun  has  a  magazine  cylindrical  in  shape  and  having  a  capacity  of 
ten  cartridges,  directly  below  the  receiver.  It  can  be  loaded  with  single  cartridges 
or  they  can  be  stripped  from  a  clip,  as  with  the  Mauser  gun.  The  gun  has  a 
cut-off. 

EARNEST  GUN. 

This  breech-loading  rifle  has  a  fixed  chamber  closed  by  a  movable  breech-block, 
which  rotates  about  an  axis  parallel  to  the  axis  of  the  barrel,  and  on  the  left  side. 
The  block  is  in  two  sections,  the  foremost  of  which  revolves  with  a  screw  motion 
on  that  in  rear,  which  alone  is  fastened  to  the  hinge.  They  are  both  perforated 
for  the  firing-pin  and  striker.  The  forward  section  is  provided  with  a  handle  by 
which  the  breech  is  opened  and  closed,  receding  from  and  approaching  the  barrel 
alternately.  The  lock  is  peculiar,  involving  a  device  for  causing  the  striker  to  re- 
bound after  delivering  its  blow  upon  the  firing-pin.  The  arm  is  especially  designed 
to  prevent  the  escape  of  gas  from  defective  cartridges. 

ELLIOT  BREECH-LOADER. 

This  gun  has  a  fixed  chamber  closed  by  a  movable  breech-block,  which  rotates 


162  AMERICAN    SMALL    ARMS 

about  a  horizontal  axis  at  90  degrees  to  the  axis  of  the  barrel,  lying  above  the 
axis  of  the  barrel  and  in  rear,  being  moved  from  above.  By  cocking  the  hammer 
it  operates  as  a  lever  on  the  breech-block  pawl,  and  at  each  movement  alternately 
pushes  and  pulls  against  the  lower  arm  of  the  breech-block  and  opens  and  closes 
the  piece.  After  opening  the  piece,  the  hammer  falls  forward,  and  resting  upon 
the  pawl  prevents  any  motion  of  the  block  until  the  piece  is  closed,  which  is  done 
by  again  bringing  the  hammer  to  the  full-cock,  where  it  is  held  by  the  rear  end 
of  the  trigger.  The  piece  is  locked  by  the  position  of  the  breech-block  and  by  its 
friction  against  the  head  of  the  cartridge  when  firing.  It  is  also  braced  by  the 
hammer  falling  behind  a  shoulder  on  the  pawl,  to  prevent  its  movement  as  in 
opening.  It  is  fired  by  the  usual  center-lock  and  a  firing-pin  in  two  sections,  one 
of  which  moves  with  the  block  and  the  other  remains  in  the  frame.  Extraction  is 
accomplished  by  a  lever  pivoted  below  the  chamber,  and  worked  through  the  in- 
tervening extractor-link  by  the  movement  of  the  hammer  on  the  pawl.  Ejection 
is  effected  by  an  auxiliary  spring  playing  on  a  friction  roller  eccentrically  placed 
in  the  extractor.  The  guard  is  hinged  at  its  rear  end  so  as  to  afford  a  ready 
means  of  inspecting  or  cleaning  the  mechanism,  and  the  lock  is  so  constructed  that 
the  hammer  cannot  be  let  down  slowly  upon  the  firing  pin  with  the  thumb. 

This  arm  has  been  modified  so  that  extraction  may  be  caused  by  a  bent  lever 
of  the  usual  form,  and  opening  by  the  descent  of  the  breech-block.  In  this  modi- 
fication the  breech-block  pawl  is  single  and  works  within  the  cheeks  of  a  slit 
hammer. 

ELLIOT  MAGAZINE  GUN. 

This  arm  is  provided  with  a  reciprocating  and  rotating  bolt  for  closing  and  lock- 
ing the  cartridge-chamber  by  means  of  a  handle  in  the  usual  way.  It  is  also  pro- 
vided with  a  tubular  magazine,  located  in  the  butt-stock,  the  tubular  chambers 
being  arranged  one  over  the  other  and  each  provided  with  independent  cartridge- 
propelling  devices.  The  upper  end  of  the  revolving-pawl  is  bent  inward,  and  works 
in  a  longitudinal  groove  cut  in  the  side  of  the  bolt ;  and  when  the  bolt  is  rotated 
in  locking  and  unlocking  the  arm  it  gives  a  vertical  movement  to  the  revolving 
pawl,  which,  being  actuated  by  a  suitable  spring,  causes  the  disk  or  ratchet  to 
revolve  one  notch.  On  the  face  of  the  disk  and  over  each  alternate  ratchet-tooth 
there  is  a  cam.  These  cams  and  the  free  ends  of  a  double  feed-pawl  are  so  ar- 
ranged in  relation  to  each  other  that  the  cams  pass  under  .  nd  raise  the  ends  of 
the  feed-pawl  alternately.  Each  time  one  of  the  ends  of  the  feed-pawl  is  raised, 
the  line  of  cartridges  under  it  is  permitted  to  move  forward  until  the  ball  of  the 
first  cartridge  lodges  in  the  recess  between  the  carrier  and  the  bolt.  In  this  posi- 
tion of  parts  the  head  of  the  first  cartridge  remains  a  little  way  in  the  mouth  of 
the  magazine,  and  the  second  one  has  not  yet  engaged  the  point  of  the  feed-pawl. 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS  163 

When  the  boh  is  drawn  back  a^ter  firing,  the  magazine-spring  forces  the  whole 
cohimn  of  cartridges  forward  until  the  feed-pawl  engages  the  head  cf  the  second 
one  and  the  first  one  is  landed  upon  the  carrier.  When  the  backward  movement 
of  the  bolt  is  completed  the  first  cartridge  is  raised  into  the  receiving-chamber  by 
the  carrier-spring.  By  this  arrangement  of  parts  the  shock  of  arresting  the  for- 
ward movement  of  the  column  of  cartridges  is  taken  upon  the  carrier  and  bolt.  In 
addition  to  the  ordinary  spiral-spring  there  is  an  auxiliary  spring  in  the  bottom 
of  each  tubular  space,  the  object  of  which  is  to  cushion  the  blow  of  the  column  of 
cartridges  upon  the  bottom  of  the  magazine  in  case  of  heavy  recoil  or  jolting 
when  the  magazine  is  full  or  nearly  so,  and  thus  prevent  accidental  explosions. 
The  tubular  spaces  are  provided  with  projections  or  shoulders  on  each  side.  These 
projections  are  so  arranged  that  the  cartridge-heads  strike  them  alternately  on 
each  side,  which  causes  the  heads  to  vibrate  laterally  and  prevents  the  cartridges 
from  moving,  from  any  cause,  with  dangerous  rapidity,  whereby  accidental  explo- 
sion is  avoided. 

EVANS  MAGAZINE  GUN. 

This  novel  rifle,  no  longer  manufactured,  differed  from  most  magazine  guns 
in  having  no  spiral  spring  for  the  purpose  of  feeding  the  cartridges  through  and 
from  the  magazine  to  the  breech-mechanism,  and  in  having  its  magazine  located 
in  the  stock  of  the  arm.  The  magazine  consisted  of  a  cylinder  of  forged  iron, 
running  from  the  breech  to  the  butt-plate;  around  the  inner  circle  of  this  cylinder 
was  affixed,  in  the  form  of  a  spiral,  a  flat  wire  of  the  proper  conformation.  Into 
this  cylinder  with  its  fixed  spiral  was  introduced  a  shaft  of  fluted  or  grooved 
wire,  this  shaft  being  revolved  by  movement  of  the  lever  in  the  breech-mechanism. 
The  cartridges  were  introduced  into  the  magazine  through  the  butt-plate;  with 
the  introduction  of  each  cartridge  the  breech-mechanism  was  moved,  thus  carry- 
ing forward  the  cartridges  until  the  magazine  was  filled.  The  cartridges  in  the 
magazine  were  in  separate  cells,  and  could  not  come  in  contact  with  each  other, 
thus  precluding  any  possibility  of  discharge ;  while  in  all  spiral-spring  magazine- 
guns  the  cartridges  press  one  against  the  other,  thus  rendering  a  premature  dis- 
charge possible. 

The  system  of  feed  in  this  gun  strongly  resembled  the  Archimedean  screw.  The 
magazine  carried  26  rounds  of  cartridges  of  2  inches  in  length,  and  could  be 
loaded  in  one-half  a  minute,  and  the  entire  magazine  of  26  rounds  discharged  at 
will,  in  from  15  to  20  seconds,  thus  embracing  a  very  great  repeating  capacity. 
This  arm  could  be  fired  20  rounds  per  minute,  while  used  as  a  single-loader,  in- 
troducing the  cartridges  into  an  aperture  at  the  side  of  the  receiver  at  the  breech ; 
or  it  could  be  fired  20  rounds  per  minute,  holding  the  magazine  full  and  in  reserve, 
by  introducing  cartridges  into  the  magazine  at  the  butt,  as  each  cartridge  was  dis- 


164  AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 

charged.    The  weight  of  the  gun  was  9^  pounds,  and  length  of  barrel  30  inches. 
The  carbine  weighed  8^  pounds  and  had  a  barrel  22  inches  in  length. 

EXPRESS  RIFLE. 

This  modern  sporting-rifle  of  great  killing  power  takes  a  large  charge  of  powder 
and  a  light  bullet,  which  gives  a  vtry  high  initial  velocity  and  a  trajectory  prac- 
ticallv  a  right  line  up  to  150  yards,  hence  the  term  Express.  To  increase  the 
killing  power  of  the  bullet,  it  is  made  of  pure  lead  and  has  a  hollow  point.  Upon 
striking  the  object,  the  bullet  spreads  outwardly,  inflicting  a  fearful  death-wound. 
This  arm  is  well-adapted  to  meet  the  wants  of  those  who  hunt  large  game  at  short 
range.  It  i.^  a  modification  of  the  Winchester,  model  1876,  and  diflfers  from  it  only 
in  caliber  (.50),  and  in  the  cartridge  to  which  it  is  adapted.  This  last  contains 
95  grains  of  powder  and  a  bullet  weighing  300  grains.  The  cartridges  may  be 
loaded  with  hollow-pointed,  solid  or  split-pointed  bullets,  as  may  be  desired.     All 


I  H   WINCH ESTER^fff^RE? 

'^:^'i  MODEL-      1886 


these  bullets  weigh  300  grains  each,  and  their  shooting  qualities  are  about  equal. 
The  primer  is  the  No.  2^  Winchester.  The  powder  used  in  loading  the  cartridges 
at  the  factory  is  United  States  Government  Musket,  but  any  of  the  approved 
brands  of  powder  suitable  for  large  cartridges  can  be  used.  As  has  been  noticed, 
the  bullet  having  a  high  initial  velocity,  a  very  flat  trajectory  is  obtained,  and  no 
change  in  sighting  is  required  up  to  150  yards,  thus  enabling  the  hunter  to  avoid 
missing  the  game  through  error  in  calculating  distances.  The  recoil  is  not  greater 
than  that  of  a  12-gauge  shot  gun  using  ordinary  charges;  the  model,  as  made  up 
for  the  English  market  with  a  22-inch  barrel  and  with  full  length  magazine, 
weighs  but  83/2  pounds.  If  desirable,  a  small  explosive  cartridge  can  be  dropped 
into  the  cavity  in  the  point,  making  it  an  explosive  bullet.  A  caliber  as  large  as 
.57  is  much  used  in  England,  but  the  .50  caliber  is  considered  suflScient  in  the 
United  States. 

FARROW  ARMS. 

During  an  extensive  period  of  active  service  in  the  Northwest,  while  an  officer 
in  the  United  States  Army,  commanding  Indian  Scouts,  and  while  Tactical  In- 
structor at  the  United  States  Military  Academy  at  West  Point,  the  author  made 
a  searching  study  of  fire-arms  hoping  he  might  discover  or  invent  an  arm  thor- 
oughly suited  for  military  service  in  the  field.  During  his  association  with  the 
Umatilla  Indians  and  when  he  captured  the  tribe  of  hostile  "Sheepeater"  Indians, 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS  165 

in  the  Salmon  River  Mountains  of  Idaho  in  1879,  he  had  a  great  variety  of  arms 
at  his  disposal  for  the  purpose  of  making  comparisons.  No  two  Indians  pos- 
sessed arms  of  the  same  pattern  and  caliber;  and,  yet  with  few  exceptions  each 
thought  his  arm  possessed  special  features  of  merit.  At  that  time  the  Springfield, 
caliber  .45,  was  the  Service  arm.  It  had  numerous  features  of  merit,  and  with 
the  possible  exception  of  its  large  caliber,  was  in  every  way  superior  to  the  Krag- 
Jorgensen  rifle,  the  arm  at  present  used  by  the  United  States  Army.  A  good  mili- 
tary arm  is  a  good  sporting  arm  and  for  the  purpose  of  selecting  the  best  or  most 
effective  the  two  classes  may  be  considered  together.  The  author's  models  of  rifle, 
carbine  and  revolver  embrace  the  same  features  and  differ  only  in  calibers  and 
minor  features.  In  selecting  or  contriving  the  best  arm,  the  following  considera- 
tions are  of  first  and  vital  importance : 

I — For  safety,  it  is  important  that  the  working  parts  of  the  gun  be  made  strong ; 
that  the  breech-bolt  be  well  supported  and  completely  locked  before  the  firing-pin 
can  reach  the  primer;  that  the  firing-pin  be  well  backed,  or  supported,  to  prevent 
the  same  from  being  blown  out  to  the  rear,  by  the  escape  of  gases  from  defective 
shells  or  primers.  The  firing-pin  should  be  retired  from  the  front  face  of  the 
breech-bolt  in  the  first  movement  of  the  extracting  mechanism,  at  each  discharge 
of  the  rifle,  and  held  back  from  the  front  face  of  the  bolt,  until  the  gun  is  loaded 
and  the  action  completely  closed;  the  action  of  the  firing  spring  should  be  strong 
and  quick. 

2 — The  magazine  mechanism  should  be  arranged  so  that  double  loading  from 
the  magazine  be  made  impossible ;  the  magazine  feeding  mechanism  should  be 
simple,  and  free  from  tendencies  to  jam  when  the  gun  is  being  operated;  the  feed- 
ing mechanism  should  be  such  that  jamming  or  clogging  of  the  rifle  when  in  use, 
is  rendered  impossible. 

3 — The  extracting  mechanism  should  be  powerful ;  the  extractor  hook  should 
"be  so  arranged  that  the  hook  will  not  ride  over  the  cartridge  heads  under  a  heavy 
pull ;  and  the  hook  should  have  sufficient  purchase  on  the  shell  to  extract  the  same 
from  the  gun  when  it  is  heated.  The  extracting  force  should  be  multiplied  at 
least  one  to  ten ;  that  is  to  say  one  pound  exerted  on  the  bolt,  to  exert  a  force  on 
the  empty  shell,  or  cartridge,  equal  to  ten  pounds. 

4 — The  ejecting  mechanism  rhould  be  so  arranged  as  to  positively  expel  the 
shell  before  the  loaded  cartridge  can  be  fed  up  from  the  magazine ;  or  before  the 
loaded  shell  can  be  inserted  in  the  breech  opening.  The  mechanism  of  the  gun 
should  be  so  arranged,  that  when  the  action  is  opened,  and  the  cleaning  rod  in- 
serted in  the  barrel,  the  cleaning  rod  cannot  produce  any  disorder  in  the  operating 
mechanism  of  the  gun. 

5 — The  gun  should  be  so  constructed  as  to  be  capable  of  being  used  alternately. 


166  AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 

as  desired ;  either  as  a  single  loader,  or  as  a  magazine  gun,  at  the  will  of  the  opera- 
tor; and  should  also  be  arranged  so  that  the  gun  can  be  used  as  a  single  loader, 
while  the  full  magazine  is  held  in  reserve.  The  magazine  should  be  so  constructed, 
that  a  single  loaded  shell,  or  a  succession  of  single  loaded  shells  can  be  inserted 
in  the  magazine  at  the  will  of  the  operator,  without  the  necessity  of  completely 
filling  the  magazine  with  loaded  shells.  The  gun  should  be  capable  of  being  in- 
stantly used,  at  the  will  of  the  operator,  as  a  magazine  gun  or  as  a  single  loader 
or  as  a  single  loader  or  magazine  gun  alternately. 

6 — Indicators  should  be  provided  to  show  at  all  times  '-e  number  of  cartridges 
in  the  magazine. 

7 — The  loaded  cartridges  in  the  magazine  should  be  held  by  their  rims  from 
end  thrust,  to  prevent  the  bullets  from  being  jammed  on  to  the  powder,  thus  cre- 
ating dangerous  pressures. 

8 — Mechanism  should  be  provided  to  prevent  gases  in  case  of  defective  primers, 
or  defective  shells,  coming  back  into  the  face  of  the  operator;  or  driving  any  of 
the  firing  mechanism  into  the  face  of  the  operator  in  case  of  accidental  explosion. 

9 — Simplicity  always  results  from  a  small  number  of  parts,  with  as  few  screws,. 
springs  and  small  pieces  as  it  is  possible  to  have. 

lo — Since  the  conditions  of  military  service  are  such  that  the  soldier  may  desire 
to  replenish,  or  complete  the  loading  of  the  magazine,  from  which  loaded  cart- 
ridges may  have  been  drawn  or  used,  it  is  important  that  the  magazine  can  be 
partially  charged  with  loaded  shells ;  so  that  the  gun  may  be  alternately  used  as  a 
single  loader,  or  as  a  magazine  rifle  at  the  will  of  the  soldier.  Alechanism  to  show 
whether  the  gun  is  cocked,  or  in  safety  position  should  be  provided. 

II — The  gun  should  be  arranged  so  as  to  be  protected,  as  much  as  possible, 
from  inclement  weather  and  dust ;  and  so  built  as  to  be  capable  of  being  dis- 
mounted and  assembled  with  ease. 

The  intensity  of  the  pressures  developed  in  the  modern  army  rifle  by  the  use  of 
the  now  well-established  "smokeless"  powders,  ranging  as  they  do  from  35,000  to 
50,000,  and  even  at  times  with  some  of  these  compositions  up  to  60,000  per  square 
inch,  compels  the  adoption  of  a  much  more  resistant  and  resilient  material  for  gun 
barrels  than  was  required  with  the  older  small  arms.  An  elastic  limit  of  approxi- 
mately fifty  per  cent,  higher  value  and  a  tenacity  of  correspondingly  greater 
amount  are  desirable,  united  with  no  les:;  ductility  and  resistance  to  erosion  than 
are  displaced  by  the  other  steels.  These  qualities  are  exceedingly  difficult  of  at- 
tainment with  the  carbon  steels  of  even  the  best  qualities  and  produced  by  the  best 
makers. 

It  is  singular  that,  as  reported  by  the  Chief  of  Ordnance,  the  steel:  passing  the 
tests  and  actually  employed  in  making  barrels  were,  one  a  Bessemer  steel,  the  other 


AMERICAN    SMALLARMS  167 

an  open  hearth,  and  that  none  of  the  crucible  steels  submitted  at  that  time  were 
satisfactory  under  test.  Of  the  two  used,  the  Bessemer  was  rather  better  than  the 
open  hearth,  which  is  quite  opposed  to  former  experience  in  other  fields  and  to 
the  accepted  views  of  metallurgists,  manufacturers  and  engineers. 

The  author  advocates  a  .38  caliber,  although  a  .30  caliber  has  been  adopted  by 
substantially  all  the  nations  of  the  world,  recently  adopting  new  guns  for  their 
armies.  Consultation  with  experts  and  others  familiar  with  the  subject,  confirm 
the  conclusions  which  seem  to  have  led  to  this  particular  size  of  gun  and  ammu- 


nition, and  the  conviction  that  this  is  about  as  small  a  caHber  as  is  on  all  accounts 
desirable.  Many  experienced  military  men  besides  the  author,  question  whether 
we  have  not  r.ctually  gone  too  far  in  reduction  of  caliber,  securing  range  and  pene- 
trative power  at  a  sacrifice  of  "stopping  effect"  of  greater  value. 

When  the  Savage  .303  caliber  expanding  bullets  first  appeared,  they  excited 
some  little  derision  among  old  sportsmen  and  hunters,  who  had  always  considered 
the  large  caliber  bullet  necessary  to  secure  effective  results  on  large  game.  Their 
experience  was  only  with  black  powder,  and  their  deductions  were  correct,  under 
those  conditions.  The  immensely  increased  velocity  imparted  to  these  small  bul- 
lets by  modern  smokeless  powder  is  the  secret  of  the  enormous  smashing  powder 
of  the  modern  small  caliber  bullet.  The  soft  nose  of  the  expanding  bullet  expands 
on  impact  with  the  softest  tissues,  splitting  the  jacketed  portion,  deforming  the 
whole  bullet  to  such  an  extent  that  the  wound  made  covers  a  larger  area  than  ever 
before  seen. 

Broadly  considered  the  "bolt  system"  employed  in  the  author's  arms  is  essen- 
tially foreign ;  the  "lever  system"  is  distinctly  American.  The  "straight  pull  sys- 
tem" is  also  an  American  invention.  In  this  gun  the  trigger-guard  and  attached 
working  parts  slide  in  a  deep  channel  underneath  the  rear  portion  of  the  stock 
under  and  behind  the  trigger,  backward  and  forward  as  the  breach  bolt  is  opened 
or  shut,  with  a  downward  straight  pull  when  it  is  opened  and  an  upward  push 
when  it  is  closed.  This  novel  invention  presents  new  points  of  unusual  interest, 
but  as  yet  it  has  not  been  adequately  proved  and  perfected. 

Careful  experiments  have  been  made  in  foreign  armies  with  the  use  of  the 
'  cut-ofif"  in  military  magazine  rifles,  and  the  decided  opinion  of  many  leading 
experts  is  that  the  use  of  the  "cut-offs"  which  call  for  two  classes  of  fire  is  con- 


168  AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 

fusing  and  undesirable  in  a  crisis.  Where  the  magacine  can  be  kept  tilled,  zvith 
cut-off  worked  automatically,  and  a  steady  fire  as  an  effectire  single  loader  sus- 
tained, the  utmost  pozver  of  a  military  arm  is  obtained  for  general  serzice.  The 
main  point  to  be  secured  is  an  unfailing  single  loader,  and  to  have  this  quality 
supported  by  a  magazine  charged  with  say  five  cartridges,  always  ready  when 
called  upon  in  an  emergency  for  instant  and  unfailing  delivery.  Such  a  magazine 
rifle  in  its  perfection  very  closely  reaches  the  ideal. 

A  principal  feature  in  the  author's  System,  is  the  accessibility  of  the  action  and 
magazine  for  cleaning  and  examination.    The  entire  arm  may  be  dismounted  and 
assembled  in  two  minutes,  the  only  tool  needed  being  a  screw-driver.    All  the  ex- 
cellent features  of  the  Blake  rifle  in  conjunction  with  numerous  other  patents  and 
improvements  will  be  noted  in  the  System  as  follows:     i.    The  handle  of  the  bolt 
turns  down  at  the  side  of  the  stock  and  is  out  of  the  way  in  handling  the  grip. 
2.  The  working  of  the  bolt  is  more  convenient  and  easy  than  any  method  of  han- 
dling a  repeater.    3.  The  arm  may  be  cocked  by  simply  raising  the  handle  and  re- 
turning it  without  withdrawing  the  bolt.    4.  There  is  no  end  spring  pressure  set- 
ting up  the  bullets  or  shortening  the  cartridges,  as  in  rifles  with  tubular  maga- 
zines.   5.  Cartridges  may  vary  in  length  to  the  extent  of  a  quarter  of  an  inch,  en- 
abling the  user  to  vary  the  weight  of  bullet  and  charges  of  powder.     6.  Bullets 
with  round  or  pointed  ends  may  be  used,  as  the  cartridges  are  not  disposed  in 
front  of  each  other  and  liable  to  have  their  primers  exploded  by  the  point  of  the 
bullet  in  the  rear.     7.  The  combination  of  all  the  advantages  of  single  shot  rifles 
and  repeaters  into  one  arm.    8.  When  the  bolt  action  is  removed  from  the  receiver, 
which  can  be  done  almost  instantly,  the  breech  is  open  so  that  the  rifled  bore  of  the 
barrel  can  be  readily  examined  and  cleaned.     9.  The  empty  shell  when  extracted 
and  ejected,  is  thrown  to  the  right  and  away  from  the  operator.     10.  The  breech 
mechanism  can  be  taken  apart  and  a  new  main  spring  and  extractor  substituted 
and  replaced  in  a  few  seconds  between  shots,  without  the  use  of  any  tools.     11. 
Great  simplicity  and  great  strength  of  breech  closing,  there  being  but  one  piece  to 
resist  the  strain  of  firing.     12.  The  packet  is  large  enough  to  give  a  good  finger- 
hold, and  in  cold  weather,  with  gloves  or  mittens  on,  may  be  readily  put  into  the 
magazine.     13.  The  magazine  may  be  quickly  opened  to  examine,  n.11  or  remove 
the  packet,  or  to  replace  any  cartridges  that  have  been  fired.     14.  Tlie  flanged  base 
of  the  shell  is  completely  surrounded  by  the  cup  shaped  end  of  the  bolt  at  the  firing 
position,  so  that  in  case  of  a  ruptured  shell  or  primer  pierced  by  the  firing  pin.  the 
gas  is  prevented  from  blowing  back  in  the  face  of  the  operator.     1 5.  The  mechan- 
ism being  so  accessible,  dirt  or  sand  getting  into  the  action  may  be  removed  and 
the  arm  c' caned  by  the  hands  alone,  if  necessary.     16.  Accuracy  in  shooting  is  as- 
sured by  the  strain  of  firing,  being  properly  distributed  in  the  breech.     17.  Not 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS  169 

liable  to  explosions  in  the  magazine.  i8.  The  barrel  and  receiver  may  be  removed 
from  the  stock  in  three  minutes  by  the  use  of  a  screw-driver.  It  may  be  mounted 
in  the  same  time.  19.  Carrying  seven  cartridges  in  the  rifle ;  more  than  any  mod- 
ern rifle.  20.  Fifty  shots  may  be  fired  by  an  expert  in  one  minute.  21.  In  case  of 
jammed  cartridges  due  to  double  loading,  the  jam  may  be  instantly  removed  by 
opening  the  magazine  door.  22.  Double  extractors.  23.  No  slight  of  hand  per- 
formance is  required  to  load  the  rifle,  and  no  artful  dodging  to  prevent  the  ejected 
shell  striking  the  eye.  24.  A  number  of  loaded  packets  may  be  carried,  or  the 
same  packet  may  be  kept  in  the  magazine  and  refilled  many  times  with  single  cart- 
ridges. 25.  The  arm  may  be  fired  from  the  shoulder  easily  and  rapidly.  26.  No 
danger  of  cutting  or  jamming  the  fingers  as  with  lever  actions.  27.  The  entire 
arm  is  so  simple  that  any  gunsmith  or  mechanic  can  put  it  in  order  or  make  any 
extra  parts. 

The  mechanism  is  extremely  simple.  The  receiver  has  on  its  left-hand  side  a 
broad  and  deep  groove  for  the  passage  of  the  left  locking  lug  of  the  bolt,  and  on 
the  right  a  shoulder  for  the  extractor  and  right  locking  lug  of  the  bolt.     The  bot- 
tom is  cut  away  to  permit  the  upward  and  forward  movement  of  cartridges  from 
the  magazine.    The  forward  breech  casing  contains  the  grooves  for  the  four  lock- 
ing lugs  of  the  bolt.    At  the  rear  the  breech  casing  is  closed  for  a  short  distance  at 
the  top  and  at  its  rear  has  a  cam  which  starts  back  the  bolt  when  rotating  to  unlock 
and  open.     The  bolt,  which  has  a  handle  turning  down  at  the  side  of  the  stock, 
consists  of  the  body,  the  cocking  piece  and  sleeve,  the  firing-pin  and  spring  and 
the  extractor ;  the  firing-pin  and  striker  are  in  one  piece,  the  shoulder  of  the  striker 
and  the  front  face  of  the  sleeve  form  the  two  bearings  for  the  main  spring.     The 
extractor  consists  of  the  hook  and  body.     The  hook  rests  between  the  shoulders 
of  the  body  to  which  it  is  secured  by  a  stud  and  is  easily  removed  and  replaced. 
A  second  extractor  or  shell-starter  is  used  near  the  front  end  of  the  receiver.    The 
ejector  is  pivoted  on  the  left  part  of  the  breech  casing  and  throws  out  the  empty 
shell  to  the  right  by  a  blow  on  its  side,  communicated  by  the  left  lug  of  the  bolt. 
The  magazine  casing  consists  of  a  cylindrical  box  placed  below  the  receiver.     Its 
bottom  is  hinged  at  the  left  side  and  when  closed  is  secured  by  a  catch.    The  cart- 
ridge packet  has  at  its  front  and  rear  ends  trunnions,  which  rest  in  beds  in  the 
front  and  rear  faces  of  the  casing.    When  the  bolt  is  operated  the  cartridge  packet 
is  operated  by  a  revolver  movement.    The  "cut-oflf"  is  on  the  left  of  the  stock  op- 
posite the  bolt  handle,  and  when  single  loading  fire  only  is  desired,  depresses  an 
arm  so  that  the  bolt  will  pass  over  without  operating  the  cartridge  packet.     If  it 
is  desired  to  load  the  magazine  and  hold  it  in  reserve,  the  bolt  must  first  be  closed, 
then  opening  the  casing,  placing  the  packet  with  its  trunnions  in  their  beds,  and 
closing  the  casing,  the  packet  will  be  forced  to  take  proper  position.     Then  with 


170  AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 

the  maiij^azinc  cut  off.  sin.c:lc  loader  fire  can  be  delivered.  The  cut-off  can  be  oper- 
ated when  the  bolt  is  open  or  entirely  or  partly  closed.  Presuminj^  the  piece  to 
have  been  fired,  turning  up  the  handle  throws  in  consequence  of  the  cam  on  the 
rear  of  bolt  the  nose,  the  cocking  piece  and  therefore  the  firing  pin  to  the  rear  al- 
most fully  cocking  the  piece.  When  the  upward  moving  of  the  handle  is  a  littlel 
over  half  completed,  its  base  by  the  inclined  surface  of  the  shoulder  on  the  breech 
casing  is  moved  slowly  back,  starting  the  bolt  to  the  rear  and  loosening  the  empty 
shell  with  a  powerful  screw  motion.  The  upward  movement  of  the  handle  having 
been  completed,  the  bolt  is  now  drawn  completely  back,  ejecting  the  empty  shell 
and  the  cartridge  packet  in  the  magazine  is  moved  through  one-sixth  of  a  revolu- 
tion, bringing  another  cartridge  up  in  front  of  the  bolt.  Reversing  the  movement 
of  the  bolt,  the  cartridge  is  pushe(j  out  of  the  packet  up  into  the  receiver  and  then 
into  the  chamber  of  the  barrel,  and,  as  the  bolt  handle  is  turned  down  at  the  side 
of  the  stock,  the  cartridge  is  firmly  seated  by  a  screw  motion  and  the  recoil  or  lock- 
ing lugs  seated  in  front  of  the  shoulders  of  the  casing.  With  a  little  practice  the 
movements  of  the  bolt  blend  into  two  only,  one  back  the  other  forward. 

The  piece  cannot  be  fired  unless  fully  locked,  for  if  the  trigger  is  pulled  before 
the  locking  lugs  are  properly  seated  the  action  of  the  nose  of  the  cocking  piece  on 
the  side  of  the  cam  of  the  bolt  will  throw  the  latter  to  the  right,  seating  the  lugs 
before  the  point  of  the  firing  pin  reaches  the  primer.  The  bolt  cannot  revolve 
when  the  trigger  is  pulled,  as  an  arm  of  the  sear  rises  into  a  slot  cut  on  the  bottom 
of  bolt,  thus  preventing  its  rotation  under  the  strain  of  firing  and  preventing  the 
bolt  opening  by  any  possibility,  as  long  as  the  trigger  is  held  back. 

W^hen  being  used  as  a  single  loader  with  a  full  or  empty  packet  in  the  magazine, 
the  cartridge  may  be  simply  dropped  into  the  receiver  and  the  bolt  will  push  the 
cartridge  into  the  chamber  of  the  barrel.  It  is  not  necessary  to  push  the  cartridges 
home  with  the  fingers.  The  arm  may  thus  be  fired  very  rapidly  as  a  single  loader. 
The  packet  in  the  magazine  may  be  recharged  at  any  time  with  single  cartridges 
and  is  the  only  one  that  need  be  used  unless  continuous  rapid  fire  is  desired,  when 
a  number  of  loaded  packets  mav  be  carried  in  the  pockets  or  the  belt.  Packets 
weigh  empty  2^4  oz.  For  transportation  when  not  carried  in  loops  of  the  belt, 
a  wire,  a  band  of  tin,  or  a  band  of  tough  paper  may  be  placed  around  front  ends 
of  the  cartridges  in  the  packet,  thus  holding  them  solidly. 

The  carbine  and  revolver  are  convertible  after  the  manner  of  the  Borchardt 
combination  rifle  and  pistol. 

Single  cartridges  may  be  charged  into  the  packet  or  magazine  at  any  time,  or 
the  charged  packet  may  be  instantly  removed.  It  is  claimed  that  the  bolt  action 
with  handle  at  the  side,  aside  from  its  simplicity  and  strength  and  lightness,  is 
superior  to  a  finger  lever  in  rapidity  and  in  ]x)wer  to  put  in  and  take  out  cartridges 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS  171 

from  the  chamber.    It  certainly  takes  up  less  room,  leaves  the  grip  perfectly  clear 
of  any  obstructions,  and  can  be  worked  in  a  more  confined  space. 

HARWELL  MAGAZINE  GUN. 

This  magazine  rifle  has  a  double  bolt  action.  In  its  present  form  it  has  been 
tested  with  satisfaction.  With  some  needed  improvements  it  gives  promise  of  a 
very  effective  weapon  when  carefully  developed. 

FERGUSON  RIFLE. 

This  curious  breech-loader,  although  not  strictly  of  American  invention,  has  be- 
come American  from  the  fact  that  it  made  its  first  appearance  as  a  weapon  of  war 
on  the  battlefields  of  America,  and  is  the  first  instance  of  a  breech-loading  rifle 
ever  having  been  used  on  this  continent.  A  few  details  will  serve  to  explain  its 
peculiarities.  The  length  of  the  piece  itself  is  50  inches,  weight  yVi  pounds.  The 
bayonet  is  25  inches  in  length  and  1V2  inches  wide,  and  is  what  is  commonly  called 
a  sword-blade  bayonet.  The  sight  at  the  breech  is  so  arranged  that  by  elevating 
it  is  equally  adapted  to  ranges  varying  from  one  hundred  to  five  hundred  yards. 
Its  greaest  curiosity  is  the  arrangement  for  the  loading  at  the  breech.  The  guard- 
plate  which  protects  the  trigger  is  held  in  its  position  by  a  spring  at  the  end  near- 
est the  butt.  Released  from  this  spring  and  thrown  around  by  the  front,  so  as  to 
make  a  complete  revolution,  a  plug  descends  from  the  barrel,  leaving  a  cavity  in 
the  upper  side  of  the  barrel  sufficient  for  the  insertion  of  a  ball  and  cartridge  or 
loose  charge.  This  plug  is  an  accelerating  screw,  and  is  furnished  with  twelve 
threads  to  the  inch,  thereby  enabling  it,  by  the  one  revolution,  to  open  or  close  the 
orifice ;  so  that  the  rifle  is  thereby  rendered  capable  of  being  discharged,  it  has  been 
claimed,  as  rapidly  as  the  Hall  United  States  (flintlock)  carbine.  This  accelerat- 
ing screw  constitutes  the  breech  of  the  piece,  only,  instead  of  being  horizontal,  as 
is  usually  the  case,  it  is  vertical.  Were  there  not  twelve  independent  threads  to 
this  screw,  it  would  require  two  or  three  revolutions  to  close  the  orifice ;  whereas 
one  suffices.  Many  of  the  muskets  fabricated  in  the  French  arsenals  during  the 
last  years  of  Napoleon  had  bayonets  of  the  shape  mentioned  herein  adapted  to 
them,  specimens  of  which  were  deposited  among  the  French  trophies  in  the  Tower 
of  London. 

FOGERTY  GUN. 

This  magazine  gun  has  a  tubular  magazine  in  the  butt-stock  which  is  charged 
through  a  gate  on  the  right-hand  side.  Its  capacity  is  six  cartridges,  and  there 
is  a  cut-off.  An  oscillating  jointed  carrier,  having  also  a  vertical  motion,  is  actu- 
ated by  the  breech-bolt  and  lifts  the  cartridges  as  they  are  delivered  from  the 
magazine  up  into  the  receiver. 


172 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 


FOLSOM  NEW  AMERICAN  GUNS. 

The  H.  &  D.  Folsoni  Arms  Company,  in  producing  their  Une  of  American  made 
guns,  have  accompUshed  an  enterprise  which  has  been  deemed  an  impossibiUty. 
It  has  always  been  supposed  that  cheap  guns  could  not  be  made  in  this  country 
because  we  cannot  compete  with  cheap  foreign  labor,  but  this  supposition  has  van- 
ished. This  company  offers  an  American  made  line  of  guns  which  are  practically 
interchangeable  as  to  vital  parts,  etc.,  at  prices  as  low  as  similar  guns  of  foreign 


make.  All  these  guns  have  the  left  barrels  full  taper  choke  bored  and  the  right 
barrels  are  cylinder  bore  for  good  shooting.  The  lock  parts  are  hardened,  which 
makes  them  work  more  easily  and  last  longer  than  soft  parts.  They  are  good 
sound  guns  throughout,  and  give  universal  satisfaction.  The  dra\\ing  shows  the 
general  st\le.  They  are  made  in  12  gauge,  30  or  32  inch  -barrel,  weighing  from 
y'A  to  8^2  pounds.  They  have  steel  frames  and  are  bored  for  nitro  or  black 
powder. 

The  A'7t>  American  single  barrel  breech-loaders,  under  the  trade  names  of 
"New  Field,"  "New  \'ictor,"  "New  York  Arms  Company  Ejector,"  "Club  Ham- 
merless,"  "Trap  Hammerless,"  etc.,  are  excellent  cheap  guns.  They  are  bored  for 
nitro  or  black  powder  and  will  average  275  pellets  in  a  30-inch  circle  at  40  yards, 
with  a  load  of  3^4  drams  of  black  powder  and  i>s  ounces  No.  8  shot.     They  are 

taken  choke  bored. 

FORD  GUN. 

This  magazine  gun  has  a  fan-shaped  magazine  under  the  receiver,  holding  fi\o 

cartridges,  which  are  arranged  in  receptacles  with  separating  ribs  between.     Tlie 

arm  has  a  cut  off. 

FOREHAND  ARMS. 

The  guns  and  revolvers  manufactured  by  the  Forehand  Arms  Company,  prior 
to  the  absorption  of  that  company  by  the  Hopkins  and  Allen  Arms  Company,  have 
been  highly  commended  for  having  a  mechanical  construction  whereby  strength 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 


173 


and  simplicty  are  combined.     Figures  i  and  2  show  the  hammerless  gun  and  its 
very  simple  mechanism.    The  gun  is  provided  with  an  ejector  if  desired,  uses  nitro 


Figure   i. 
powder  and  is  bored  for  12  and  16  gauge  wads.     The  hammerless  single  gun  has 


Figure  2. 
all  the  features  of  the  double  gun  and  follows  the  lines  of  the  celebrated  Perfection 


Figure  3. 
single  gun.    The  hammer  double  gun,  shown  in  Figures  3  and  4,  is  made  in  12  and 


174 


AMERICAN   SMALL   ARMS 


1 6  gauge,  with  rebounding  locks,  extension  rib,  straight  and  matted.     Great  sim- 
pHcity  and  durabiUty  are  apparent.     Figure  5  shows  the  mechanism  of  the  single 


Figure  4. 

gun,  with  an  automatic  ejector.    The  barrels  are  piam  and  twis^,  30  and  32  inches    j 
in  length.     The  frames  are  all  in  case  hardened  finish,  rebounding  lock,  and  half 
pistol  grip.     It  has  a  very  neat  and  simple  device  of  a  screw  and  lever  combined 


Figiire  5. 

to  hold  the  barrel  to  the  frame,  and  can  be  quickly  detached,  and  does  not  protrude 
above  the  surface  to  object  either  in  appearance  or  handling.  It  is  made  in  12  and 
16  bore,  and  for  the  use  of  nitro  powder. 

One  of  the  best  productions  by  the  Forehand  Arms  Company,  in  the  revolver 
line,  is  the  hammerless,  shown  in  Figure  6,  It  is  an  extecdingly  smooth  working 
and  attractive  revolver,  having  all  the  latest  improvements,  automatic  shell  ex- 
tracting, double  action,  positive  stop  on  cylinder  and  automatic  hammer  I)lock.  It 
is  made  in  .32  calibre,  small  frame,  3-inch  l)arrel,  and  .38  calibre,  large  frame,  4  or 
5  inch  barrel,  5  shot.  Smith  &  Wesson  cartridge. 

The  Forehand  automatic  hammer  revolver  shown  in  Figure  7  is  attractive.  It 
weighs  12  ounces,  has  rebounding  lock,  positive  stop  on  cylinder  and  is  hammer 
blocked,  so  that  accidental  discharge  is  impossible.     It  is  .32  calibre,  5  shot,  3-inch 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS  175 

barrel,  centra;  fire,   Smith  &  Wesson  cartridge,  automatic  shell  extracting,  and 


Figure  6. 
double  action.    This  revolver  is  made  with  a  shorter  barrel,  when  desired,  weigh- 


Figure  7. 
ing  only  1 1  ounces.       See  Hopkins  and  Allen  Arms. 

FRANKLIN  MAGAZINE  GUN 
This  gun  belongs  to  that  system  in  which  a  fixed  chamber  is  closed  by  a  bolt  by 
direct  action,  and  in  which  the  lock  is  concealed.  The  receiver  has  a  vertical  slot 
cut  entirely  through  it  for  the  purpose  of  receiving  cartridges  from  above  and  af- 
fording egress  to  the  empty  shells  below.  It  has  also  a  longitudinal  slot  through 
which  the  handle  on  the  breech-bolt  slides,  with  a  side-cut  at  the  front  end  of  the 


176  AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 

slot  for  the  reception  of  the  handle  when  the  bolt  is  locked.  The  breech-bolt  is 
composed  of  three  parts,  viz.,  the  locking-tube,  the  bolt-head  and  the  cocking- 
piece.  To  the  latter  of  these,  the  firing-pin,  which  extends  the  whole  length  of 
the  breech-bolt,  is  secured  by  a  screw.  The  bolt-head,  which  supports  the  cart- 
ridge at  the  instant  of  fire,  is  secured  to  the  locking-tube  by  a  pin  at  right  angles 
to  its  axis.  The  firing-pin  spring  which  is  held  between  the  shoulder  on  the  front 
of  the  firing-pin  and  that  at  the  bottom  of  the  locking-tube,  serves  by  its  tension 
to  hold  in  contact  the  locking-tube  and  cocking-piece.  By  means  of  the  spiral  sur- 
faces of  a  projection  on  the  cocking-piece,  and  a  corresponding  recess  on  the 
locking-tube,  the  cocking-piece  is  cammed  back,  withdrawing  the  point  of  the 
firing-pin  within  the  face  of  the  bolt-head  when  the  piece  is  unlocked.  Accidental 
explosions  are  thus  avoided  in  closing  the  bolt.  The  form  of  the  cut  in  the  re- 
ceiver is  such  as  to  cam  back  the  handle,  and  with  it  the  bolt,  during  the  unlocking, 
starting  the  empty  shell.  When  the  bolt  is  returned  to  its  position  the  stop-spring 
is  returned  to  its  first  position  by  means  of  a  spring  operating  its  lever ;  at  the  same 
time  the  inclined  face  of  the  stop-spring  bearing  on  the  side  of  the  cut  in  the  re- 
ceiver is  pressed  out  of  the  way,  and  a  cartridge  issues  from  the  magazine  into 
the  space  above  the  breech-bolt.  It  follows,  therefore,  that  a  cartridge  always  oc- 
cupies a  space  above  the  breech-block  when  the  piece  is  locked,  provided  the  maga- 
zine has  been  previously  filled.  When  the  bolt  is  withdrawn,  this  cartridge,  under 
the  influence  of  gravity  alone,  falls  into  a  position  in  line  with  the  axis  of  the  bore. 
The  bullet  is  supported  by  a  shelf  in  rear  of  the  chamber.  The  base  of  the  cart- 
ridge is  prevented  from  falling  below  the  line  of  the  axis  of  the  bore  by  the  shape 
of  the  slot  in  the  receiver,  which  is  only  wide  enough  for  the  shell  to  fall  through 
when  its  head  is  behind  the  extractor.  This  condition  only  obtains  when  the  shell 
is  being  ^vl^hdrawn.  When  the  bolt  is  returned,  the  cartridge  is  forced  into  the 
chamber  and  another  one  enters  the  space  above  the  breech-bolt.  A  lid  covers  the 
opening  at  the  top  of  the  receiver.  A  catch  serves  to  keep  the  lid  closed  except 
when  the  breech-bolt  is  unlocked.  If  the  lid  be  raised  during  that  time,  a  shoulder 
on  its  interior  bearing  against  a  lever  ])revents  a  stop-spring  returning  to  its  orig- 
inal position.  The  lid  remaining,  the  jiicce  may  be  loaded  and  fired  as  a  single- 
loader.  Xo  ejector  is  required  with  this  gun,  gravity  again  being  called  on  to  ef- 
fect the  fall  of  the  empty  shell  through  the  opening  to  the  ground.  As  a  maga- 
zine gun,  three  motions  are  necessary  to  operate  it,  viz.,  opened,  closed,  fired. 

FREEMAN  GUN. 

This  breech-loading  rifle  has  a  fixed  chamber  closed  by  a  movable  bieech-block, 
rotating  about  a  vertical  axis  at  90  degrees  to  the  axis  of  the  barrel,  and  lying  in 
the  plane  of  the  axis  of  the  barrel.     It  is  opened  by  cocking  the  piece  and  pulling 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS  177 

back  the  horn  of  the  breech-block ;  and  is  closed  by  pushing  the  horn  forward  with 
the  right  hand,  a  bevel  on  the  left  face  of  the  breech-block,  pushing  the  cartridge 
home.  When  locked  by  the  position  of  the  breech-block  it  is  also  kept  from  turn- 
ing by  the  front  segment  of  the  hammer  engaging  with  a  corresponding  groove  in 
the  back  of  the  block.    It  is  fired  by  a  center-lock  of  the  usual  pattern. 

Extraction  is  accomplished  by  a  bent  lever  pivoted  below  the  chamber  and 
struck  by  the  ejector-cam.  which,  turning  with  the  breech-block  in  opening-  the 
piece,  rides  over  the  curved  horn  of  the  extractor  or  draws  back  its  upper  end, 
carrying  with  it  the  cartridge-shell.  Ejection  is  caused  by  a  flat-spring  riding  on 
a  cam  formed  on  the  hub  of  the  extractor,  and  thereby  accelerating  its  action  on 
the  cartridge-shell  when  the  latter  has  been  started  from  its  seat  in  the  chamber 
in  the  act  of  opening-  the  piece. 

This  arm  has  been  modified  so  that  the  horn  of  the  breech-block,  instead  of  be- 
ing solid  with  the  block,  is  pivoted  to  it  on  a  vertical  axis,  and  has  its  lower  portion 
cam-shaped,  with  a  bearing  on  the  side  of  tl.e  frame,  :  .  that  a  lever-power  is  ob- 
tained in  the  first  movement  of  opening  the  piece,  when,  if  zt  all,  the  block  is 
likely  to  stick.  The  hammer  also  has  a  projecting-tooth  on  its  forward  surface 
which  engages  with  a  notch  in  the  under  side  of  the  firing-pin  and  retracts  it  when 
the  hammer  is  cocked.  The  point  of  the  firing-pin  may  thus  be  withdrawn  from 
its  impression  in  the  cartridge-head,  in  order  to  allow  the  block  to  open  freely. 

GARDINER  MAGAZINE  GUN. 

In  this  arm  the  barrel  and  tip-stock  slide  forward  and  backward  on  ways  con- 
nected with  the  butt-stock.  They  are  released  to  move  forward,  and  secured  when 
back  by  a  hook  into  which  the  forward  end  of  a  trigger-guard  is  formed.  This 
guard  revolves,  to  a  sufficient  extent  for  this  purpose,  on  a  pin  passing  through  it, 
at  the  forward  end  of  the  guard-bow.  It  locks  the  piece  automatically,  when  it 
is  closed  by  the  action  of  a  spring  at  its  rearmost  end.  In  moving  out  the  barrel 
the  hammer  is  cocked  by  an  internal  connection  between  the  barrel  and  the  tum- 
bler. A  cartridge  having  been  expelled  backward  from  the  magazine  by  the  action 
of  the  magazine-spring,  it  is  raised  by  the  striking  of  a  projection  on  the  lower 
end  of  the  barrel  against  the  forward  end  of  a  bent  lever,  the  rearmost  end  of 
which  lies  beneath  the  cartridge.  This  passes  it  up  a  pair  of  guides  on  the  face  of 
the  frame,  so  shaped  as  to  hold  within  their  jaws  the  head  of  the  cartridge  by  the 
rim.  When  it  arrives  opposite  to  the  mouth  of  the  chamber  it  is  passed  into  it  by 
closing  the  piece.  By  repeating  the  movements  as  described,  the  succeeding  cart- 
ridge will  pass  up  the  guides  as  before,  and  striking  from  below  the  empty  one 
just  fired,  will  throw  it  up  the  guides  with  sufficient  force  to  send  it  clear  of  the 
gun.     The  magazine  is  charged  through  the  trough  into  which  the  space  between 


178  AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 

the  ways  is  formed.  The  issue  of  the  cartridges  from  the  magazine  is  limited  to 
one  at  each  forward  motion  of  the  barrel  by  the  interposition  of  the  spring-stop, 
which  is  pressed  out  of  the  way  by  the  barrel  at  the  end  of  its  stroke.  The  maga- 
zine can  be  cut  off  and  heLl  in  reserve  by  a  revolving  eccentric  stop,  moved  by  a 
thumb-piece  on  the  outside.  The  arm  can  then  be  used  as  a  single-loader  by  in- 
serting the  rim  of  the  cartridges  into  the  guides  at  each  opening  of  the  piece.  By 
a  cam-motion  of  the  movable  trigger-guard  power  is  obtained  to  start  the  barrel 
slightly  away  from  the  butt,  and  thus  to  overcome  the  chief  obstacle  to  the  re- 
moval of  the  empty  shell,  viz.,  its  sticking  at  the  start. 

GLENWOOD  GUN. 

The  Glenwood  single  barrel  shotgun  shown  in  the  drawing  has  a  top  snap,  is 

choke  bored  and  is  fitted  with  an  automatic  positive  shell  ejector.    The  only  way  to 

discharge  the  gun  is  to  pull  the  trigger.     The  hammer  cannot  be  made  to  strike 

the  shell  in  any  other  way,  and  thus  prevents  accident.     By  means  of  a  small 


thumb-screw,  the  barrel  can  be  easily  detached  or  put  together  without  removing 
the  fore-end.  This  gun  has  been  highly  recommended  for  field  or  trap  shooting. 
Its  mechanism  is  so  simple  that  it  seldom  gets  out  of  order  and  its  safety  features 
are  quite  meritorious.  It  is  made  in  12  and  16  gauge,  with  30  or  32  inch  barrel 
and  weighs  about  63^2  pounds. 

GREENE  GUN. 

This  breech-loading  rifle  has  a  fixed  chamber  closed  by  a  movable  breech-block, 
which  slides  in  the  line  of  the  barrel  by  direct  action.  This  piece  has  a  concealed 
spiral-spring  lock.  It  is  loaded  through  a  mortise  cut  in  the  side  of  the  receiver, 
and  is  locked  by  projections  on  the  bolt  engaging  with  corresponding  cavities  in 
the  receiver.  The  handle  of  the  breech-bolt  is  so  formed  as  to  lie  close  to  the 
stock,  when  turned  down  and  closed.  A  detachable  magazine  or  pannier  made  of 
tin  can  be  connected  with  the  right  side  of  the  receiver,  and  is  worked  by  canting 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS  179 

the  gun  to  the  left,  and  allowing  a  cartridge  to  roll  into  the  receiver  in  front  of  the 
bolt,  when  it  is  withdrawn  to  load. 

HALL  RIFLE. 

This  early  breech-loading  flintlock  rifle  had  a  fine  reputation  in  its  day.  In  1816 
cne  hundred  of  these  rifles  were  made  and  issued  to  a  company  of  riflemen  for 
trial.  The  report  on  this  trial  was  favorable,  and  in  1825  troops  stationed  at  Fort 
Monroe  were  equipped  with  them.  They  were  used  with  much  satisfaction  in  the 
Black  Hawk  and  Seminole  wars,  and  it  is  said  in  the  Mexican  war.  This  arm  was 
very  popular  up  to  the  beginning  of  the  Civil  War,  but  was  finally  superseded  by 
the  Sharps  rifle. 

HAMILTON  RIFLE. 

This  very  light  weight  rifle,  having  a  barrel  only  8  inches  long,  chambered  to 
take  either  short  or  long  .22  caliber  cartridges,  combines  great  accuracy,  strength 
and  durability.  The  frame  is  constructed  of  steel  and  brass.  The  barrel,  a  double 
steel  jacket  with  a  brass  lining,  thoroughly  and  accurately  rifled,  is  attached  to 
the  upper  rod  of  the  frame  by  the  muzzle  and  breech  parts,  and  is  adjusted  with  a 
taper  nut  at  the  muzzle,  this  nut  being  locked  by  a  set  screw ;  also  by  a  double  lock 
nut  on  the  lower  rod,  which  holds  the  breech  portion  securely  on  the  rod  with  the 
aid  of  a  spring  catch.  This  method  of  attaching  the  barrel,  while  a  departure  in 
gun  construction,  not  only  secures  perfect  adjustment  and  alignment,  but  also  ab- 
solute safety.  The  shell  is  exploded  by  a  long  firing  pin,  which  locks  into  a  sear  or 
trigger-dog,  and  the  shell  cannot  be  exploded  when  the  firing  pin  is  free.  The  rifle 
m.ay  be  loaded  without  setting  firing  pin,  and  may  be  carried  safely  in  this  position 
without  the  liability  of  accidental  discharges  which  surrounds  the  ordinary  style, 
of  trigger  mechanism. 

HAMPDEN  GUN. 

This  magazine  gun  has  a  capacity  for  five  cartridges  and  a  cut  off.  It  pos- 
sesses the  peculiarity  that  the  magazine  mechanism,  including  the  cut  off,  is  en- 
tirely contained  in  the  cartridge  packet,  which  is  placed  in  a  receptacle  to  the  left 
and  above  the  receiver;  the  construction  of  the  latter  is  thereby  made  very  simple. 

There  is  no  safety  lock,  but  the  cocking-piece  can  be  left  down  until  the  sear 
engages  in  the  half-cock  notch;  or  the  same  engagement  can  be  obtained  by  (after 
loading)  partly  turning  up  the  bolt-handle  and  then  returning  it  to  the  firing 
position. 

From  the  position  and  form  of  the  cartridge  packet,  by  simply  using  larger 
packets,  a  greater  number  than  five  cartridges  can  be  introduced  into  the  maga- 
zine, the  number  being  limited  only  by  the  convenience  of  handling  the  packets 
and  the  amount  of  projection  above  the  gun  which  it  is  desired  not  to  exceed. 


180 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 


HARRINGTON   AND  RICHARDSON  ARMS. 

These  excellent  revolvers  and  guns  are  noted  for  simplicity  of  construction, 
qualities  of  safety  and  good  shooting.  The  automatic  double  action  revolver, 
shown  in  Figures  1  and  2,  is  made  in  all  desired  calibers.    These  are  the  stand- 


ard—32  caliber  6  shot,  3^  inch  barrel,  weight  IG  ounces,  using  center  fire 
Smith  and  Wesson  cartridge:  38  caliber  5  shot,  3K  inch  barrel,  weight  15 
ounces,  using  center  fire  Smith  and  Wesson  cartridge;  in  these  a  4,  5,  or  (J 
inch  barrel  may  be  substituted.  In  the  "Police"  pattern,  the  thumb  piece  is 
cut  away  to  prevent  catching  in  the  clothes  when  withdrawing  from  the 
pocket.  To  enable  the  user  to  thumb-cock  the  revolver,  if  he  desires,  the  inner 
and  upper  part  of  the  hammer  is  concaved.  By  pulling  the  trigger  until  the 
hammer  catches  on  the  sear  at  the  half-cock  notch,  the  cocking  can  be  com- 
pleted with  the  thumb.  The  22  caliber,  7  shot,  3  inch  barrel,  weighs  13 
ounces,  using  a  long  or  short  cartridge,  rim  fire,  with  a  possible  substitution 


>  iiu'li  barrel,  using 


FIGURE      2. 

of  4  or  5  inch  barrels.  The  small  frame  32  caliber,  5  shot 
center  fire  Smith  and  Wesson  cartridge,  weighs  only  12  ounces;  4  or  .")  inch 
barrels  may  be  substituted  also  in  this  revolver.  The  22  caliber,  7  shot,  2 
inch  barrel,  weight  12  ounces,  rim  fire  long  or  short  cartridge,  and  32  caliber, 
5  shot,  2  inch  barrel,  weight  11  ounces,  center  fire  Smith  and  Wesson  cart- 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 


181 


ridge  are  especially  adapted  in  all  cases  where  a  small,  light  weight,  effective 
weapon  is  desired.    The  antomatic  shell  ejecting  is  seen  in  Figure  2. 

The  automatic  ha,mmerless  revolver  is  shown  in  Figure  3.  The  latest  pro- 
duction of  this  class  is  the  38  caliber,  5  shot,  3K  inch  barrel,  weight  17  ounces, 
center  fire  Smith  and  Wesson  cartridge,  with  a  substitution  of  4,  5  or  6  inch 
barrels.    Figure  3  shows  a  lighter  frame,  32  caliber,  5  shot,   3  inch  barrel, 


FIGURE      3. 

weighing  13  ounces.    It  is  also  made  with  2,  4,  5,  and  6  inch    barrels.    This 
revolver  is  remarkably  safe  and  automatic  shell  ejecting. 

The  American  double  action  revolver  (with  regular  or  safety  hammer) 
32  caliber— 16  ounces,  38  caliber— 15  ounces,  44  caliber— 18  ounces,  with  bar- 
rels 2%,  4/^  or  6  inches,  are  well  known  and  favorites.  Likewise  the  Young 
America  Bull  Dog,  the  H.  and  R.  Bull  Bog,  the  Young  America  Double  Action 
and  the  Young  America  Safety  Hammer,  in  every  practicable  and  desired 
variety  of  caliber  and  weight,  have  excellent  records  and  are  generally  quite 
popular. 

The  following  directions  should  be  observed  in  removing  and  replacing  the 
cylinder  and  ejector.    First  open  the  arm  to  its  full  capacity ;  then  with  the 


thumb  nail  of  the  left  hand,  press  in  the  cylinder  catch  bolt  A  as  seen  in 
Figure  4,  and  holding  it  there,  raise  with  the  forefinger  of  the  left  hand,  both  the 
barrel  and  cylinder  catches  B ;  then,  releasing  hold  on  cylinder  catch  bolt,  the 
barrel  and  cylinder  catches  remain  open  at  full  height,  and  the  cylinder  and 
eiector  mav  be  withdi-awn  from  the  arm.    To  replace  the  cylinder  and  ejector, 


182  AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 

the  barrel  and  cylinder  catches  being  opened  or  raised,  as  before  described,  th( 
cylinder  and  ejector  may  be  retnrned  to  place  on  the  quill;  then,  press  hard  th< 
cylinder  catch  bolt,  which  will  allow  the  barrel  and  cylinder  catches  to  retiiri 
to  their  usual  positions. 

The  Harrington  and  Richardson  Arms  Company  have  a  knife  attachmem 
on  their  revolvers  of  32  and  38  caliber  designed  for  export  trade.  Thus  the 
weapon  is  effective  without  noise,  with  the  cartridges  in  reserve,  or  as  a  las1 
resort  after  the  cartridges  are  fired.  The  knife  blade  folds  down  under  th( 
barrel  when  not  in  use.  To  extend  the  knife,  with  the  thumb  and  fore 
finger  of  the  left  hand  swing  the  blade  to  the  evtended  position,  where  th( 
spring  will  hold  it  finnly  in  place.  To  close  the  knife  hold  in  the  right  hand 
butt  down  and  guard  toward  you,  release  the  blade  by  pressing  the  checked 
ends  of  the  spring  toward  the  axis  of  the  bore  with  the  thumb  and  seconc 
finger  of  the  left  hand,  and  at  the  same  time  swinging  the  blade  downward 
with  the  forefinger. 

This  Company's  automatic  ejecting  single  gun,*  Fig.  5,  12, 16  and  20guage 
barrels  28  to  32  inches,  very  recently  put  on  the  market,  has  acliievf  d  £ 
good  reputation  among  sportsmen  and  military  men.    It  is  very  simple  in  itt 


action.  To  dismount  it,  first  unhinge  the  barrel  and  remove  the  butt  plat 
and  stock  in  the  usual  manner.  Drive  out  the  trigger  pin  when  tlie  guarcl  am 
trigger  can  be  removed.  While  holding  the  hammer  at  full  cock  insert  . 
small  y)in  in  the  main  spring  guide  at  rear  end  of  spring;  release  the  hannnei 
and  the  spring  and  guide  can  be  readily  taken  out.  Drive  out  the  lunnnie 
pin  and  the  hannner  is  free  to  be  taken  out. 

To  assemble,  place  the  hammer  in  position  and  insert  the  hammer  ph 
Place  the  main  spring  and  guide  in  position,  hold  the  hammer  at  full  cock 
remove  the  small  pin,  ana  let  the  hammer  down.  A  pin  not  longer  than  th 
thickness  of  the  guard  is  necessary  to  be  used  in  holding  the  trigger  in  posi 
tion  in  the  guard.  Insert  tlie  front  end  of  the  guard,  and  while  holding  th 
trigger  back,  complete  the  placing  of  the  guard  in  position,  then  drive  in  th 
trigger  pin.     Replace  the  stock,  butt  plate,  and  barrels  in  the  usual  way. 

*Al«o  uiade  iioii-ejecting. 


i 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS  183 

HENRY  RIFLE. 

This  early  and  excellent  magazine  gun,  largely  improved,  is  now  generally 
known  as  the  Winchester.  It  may  be  used  as  a  single  loader  or  a  repeater.  As  a 
repeater,  the  motion  of  the  lever  withdraws  the  spent  shell  of  the  previous  charge, 
raises'  the  hammer,  recharges  the  gvm  and  relocks  the  breech  mechanism.  With 
single  loading,  the  cartridge  is  placed  in  the  carrier-block,  and  a  single  motion  puts 
it  in  order  for  firing.     See  Winchester  Arms. 

HELM  GUN. 

This  breech-loading  gun  has  a  fixed  chamber  closed  by  a  movable  barrel,  which 
rotates  about  an  axis  parallel  to  the  axis  of  the  barrel.  The  peculiar  feature  of 
this  arm  is  the  connection  of  the  tumbler  with  a  movable  butt-plate,  so  arranged 
that  by  pressing  the  piece  against  tHe  shoulder,  in  aiming,  the  hammer  may  be 
simultaneouslv  cocked.  The  cylinder  also  can  be  conveniently  removed  from  the 
side,  and  replaced  by  a  loaded  one,  if  desired.  This  gun  has  been  tested  with  con- 
siderable satisfaction. 

HEPBURN-REMINGTON  RIFLE. 

This  rifle,  designed  especially  for  long  range  target  shooting,  has  a  solid  breech- 
block with  direct  rear  support,  side-lever  action  and  rebounding  hammer,  so  that 
the  arm  always  stands  with  the  trigger  in  the  safety  notch,  thus  rendering  prema- 
ture discharge  impossible. 

To  take  the  gun  apart :  Remove  the  upper-screw  in  the  left-hand  side,  and  the 
breech-block  may  be  taken  out.  To  take  out  the  hammer,  remove  the  next  upper 
screw  and  slip  the  hammer  forward  into  the  breech-block  hole.  To  take  out  the 
extractor,  remove  the  forward  screw  on  left-hand  side.  The  lever  which  operates 
the  breech-block  passes  through  the  rocker-sleeve  with  a  square  stud,  and  is  held 
in  place  by  a  set  screw  directly  under  the  fore-stock,  which  must  be  removed  if  it 
is  ever  desired  to  take  off  the  lever.  If  necessary  to  remove  the  guard,  it  can  be 
done  by  taking  off  the  butt-stock,  and  taking  out  the  side-screws  in  the  usual  way. 
The  barrel  should  not  be  unscrewed  from  the  frame,  except  by  experienced  hands 
and  proper  appliances.  When  necessary  to  unscrew  the  frame,  the  extractor 
should  be  taken  out,  and  the  breech-block  and  guard  put  back  in  place,  before  put- 
ting on  the  wrench.  If  at  any  time  the  primer  should  be  driven  back  into  the 
firing-pin  hole,  so  as  to  make  the  breech  open  swiftly,  it  can  be  relieved  by  snap- 
ping the  hammer  against  the  firing  pin.  The  military  long-range  rifle  was  adopted 
by  the  National  Rifle  Association.  It  has  a  heavy  barrel,  chambered  for  26-10 
inch,  .44  caliber,  straight  shell,  using  from  80  to  100  grains  of  .powder.  See  Rem- 
h^ton  Arms. 


184  AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 

HOPKINS  AND  ALLEN  ARMS. 

The  rifles,  single  shot  guns  and  revolvers  of  this  make  are  carefully  tested  for  the 
use  of  smokeless  and  nitro  powders  and  with  strength  combine  many  desirable  features. 
The  system  of  detaching  the  barrels  is  verj^  simple  and  effective,  Figure   i.     By  simply 


^^^^^^Si^ 


Figure 


loosening  the  thumb  screw,  the  barrel  may  be  taken  out  of  the  frame  for  cleaning  or 
packing  away.  To  eject  the  shells,  it  is  only  necessary  to  start  the  lever  by  pressing  on 
it  with  the  thumb,  then  let  it  snap  down.  Figure  2.     In  this  way  the  ejector  will  throw- 


Figure  2. 

the  empty  shells  clear  past  the  breech  and  leave  the  chamber  ready  to  be  reloaded.  The 
Junior  plain  rifle  weighs  4^^  pounds,  has  round  barrel  and  rebounding  lock,  and  re- 
quires a  22  caliber,  rim  fire  cartridge,  22  inch  barrel ;  or  32  caliber,  rim  fire.  22  inch 
barrel.  The  Junior  fancy  riRe  has  an  octagon  barrel,  22  caliber,  26  inch.  The 
Sporting   rifle*  weighs  6>^  pounds ;    24,  26  and  28   inch  barrels :  22  and  t,2  caliber, 


rim  fire:  32,  38  and  44  caliber,  Winchester:  32.40  and  38.55  Marlin.  The 
Si)orling  rifle  with  an  interchangeable  shot  barrel.  Figure  3,  weighs  about  10 
pounds.  The  shot  barrel  is  16  and  20  gauge  and  30  inches  in  length  These 
rifles  have  set  trigger  and  solid  breech  block. 

The  new  target  rifle  weighs  6  pounds,  witli  26  inch  octagon  barrel,  caliber  22.  long 
rifle  rim  fire.  It  is  a  compact  rifle  for  target  use.  ismade  after  the  style  of  tlie  take-down 
*Not  manufactured  at  jircscnt. 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 


185 


Iguns  and  rifles,  and  is  especially  adapted  to  the  22  caliber  long  rifle  cartridge.  The  single 
[Shotguns  are  well  built.  The  16  and  20  gauge  weigh  5^4  pounds,  with  30  inch  barrel 
and  rebounding  lock.  The  X.  L.  pattern  is  44  caliber,  center  fire,  weighs  5  pounds  and 
.has  a  24  inch  barrel,  and  is  specially  designed  for  small  game.  The  12  gauge  is  choke 
[bore  and  weighs  5  J^  pounds  with  a  30  inch  barrel. 

1  The  advantages  of  the  Hopkins  &  Allen  folding  hammer  lie  in  its  compactness  and 

'  neat  appearance.  No  hammer  to  catch  when  withdrawing  weapon  from  the  pocket,  but 
still,  when  needed,  the  hammer  can  be  brought  into  use,  giving  the  arm  the  advantage  of 
either  single  or  double  action.  No  possible  danger  of  accidental  discharge  by  hammer 
striking  against  an  object.  As  a  further  safeguard,  the  heavy  lip  on  sear  (A),  Figure  4 
prevents  ajiy  possibility  of  explosion,  as  the  hammer  can  not  be  released  so  as  to  let  the  firing, 
pin  come  in  contact  with  the  cartridge,  except  when  the  trigger  is  pulled  back  in  position  for 
\  firing,  when  it  raises  the  sear  and  lets  the  hammer  pass  by.  The  lever  spring  {B),  which 
j  is  embodied  in  the  solid  trigger,  gives  a  durable  and  effective  spring,  which   cannot  slip 


Figure  4. 

out  of  position  or  break.     The  rebounding  lock  further  adds  to  the  safety  of  the  arm. 

The  automatic  hammerless  hinge  revolver.  Figure  4,  possesses  all  the  advantageous 
features  of  an  absolutely  safe  hammerless  revolver.  The  catch,  which  is  thrown  in  back 
of  the  hammer  by  means  of  turning  the  knurled  nut  (C)  forward,  prevents  any  possibility 
of  the  hammer  being  drawn  back,  and  thus  any  possibility  of  an  accidental  discharge. 
This  revolver,  as  well  as  other  models,  is  furnished  with  rebounding  lock  to  serve  as  a 
further  safeguard,  and  possesses  the  advantage  of  heaiy  lip  on  sear,  and  patent  lever  spring. 

'i  ne  automatic  hinge  revolvers  are  made  in  three  styles — regular  hammer,  folding 
hammer  and  hammerless.  Fgure  5  shows  the  action.  To  eject  the  shells  hold  the  arm 
naturally  in  the  right  hand,  lay  the  left  over  the  barrel,  placing  the  thumb  and  forefinger  on 
the  checkered  parts  of  barrel  catch.     Press  upward  on  catch  as  far  as  it  will  go,  and  then 


186 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 


bear  down  on  front  end  of  barrel  so  as  to  tilt  it,  thus  ejecting  the  shells.  Place  load  in 
chambers  and  return  barrel  to  its  natural  position,  when  the  arm  is  ready  for  use.  These 
are  very  superior  arms.      The  32  caliber  is  made  with  special  small  frame  for  pocket  use, 


Figure  5. 

and  with  long  barrel  for  target  practice.     The  38  caliber  can  be  furnished  Police  size  and 
with  long  barrel  and  swivel  ring  for  holster. 

The  Acme  hammerless  and  Czar  revolvers^are  excellent  and  serviceable  revolvers  at  a 
low  price.  These  are  furnished  in  two  sizes  of  frames,  the  small  specially  made  for 
pocket  use,  and  a  regular  large  size  frame.  These  patterns  do  not  have  automatic  ejec- 
tors.    Figure  6  shows  the  Acme  hammerless,  weighing  11  ounces,  with  cartridge  22  call- 


Figure 


ber  rim  and  32  caliber  center  fire,  barrel   2  ^  or   ^yi  inches.     The  trigger  can  easily  bej 
locked  to  guard  against  accidents.     A  larger  pattern  weighs  20  ounces,  38  calibe.r,  centeii 
fire,  with  barrel  3^  or  5  inches.     The  No,   5  single  action  revolver  is  a  hard    shooter], 
weighs    15^  ounces,  38    caliber,  rim    or  center  fire,  5-shot,  with    b.uicl  3,  5,  6.  7,  or 
inches.     The  Tzf/r  weighs  7 -)<4  ounces,   22   caliber,   rim,   long  or   short,  is  7-shot,  regul. 
hammer  and  3^^  inch  barrel. 

*  Neither  one  manufactured  at  present. 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS  187 

The  Hopkins  &  Allen  Arms  Company  have  recently  purchased  the  business  of 
the  Forehand  Arms  Company,  formerly  conducted  at  Worcester,  Mass.,  by  the 
Forehand  Arms  Company,  Forehand  &  Wadsworth,  and  orig-inally  founded  by 
Ethan  Allen.  They  will  carry  on  the  manufacture  of  most  of  the  Forehand  line, 
making-  such  changes  or  omissions  as  may  be  necessary  to  meet  present  conditions, 
and  for  use  with  nitro  powders.    See  Forehand  Arms. 

HOTCHKISS  MAGAZINE  GUN. 

This  gun  was  first  exhibited  in  the  spring  of  1876  at  the  Centennial,  at  Philadel- 
phia. It  has  since  been  much  improved.  Its  operation  is  simple,  i.  To  open  the 
breech-bolt :  Hold  the  stock  firmly  with  the  left  hand  a  little  in  front  of  the  re- 
ceiver; and  with  the  right  hand  raise  the  handle,  and  draw  back  the  bolt,  making 
but  one  motion.  2.  Close  the  bolt  by  an  inverse  motion.  This  operation  cocks 
the  piece.  3.  To  cock  the  piece  without  withdrawing  the  bolt :  Raise  the  handle 
as  before,  and  immediately  turn  it  down.  4.  To  load  the  magazine :  Raise  the 
handle,  and  draw  back  the  bolt.  Take  a  cartridge  between  the  thumb  and  middle 
finger,  placing  the  point  of  the  forefinger  on  the  bullet ;  insert  the  head  of  the 
cartridge  in  the  receiver,  just  in  front  of  the  point  at  which  it  narrows  down,  and 
press  it  back  in  the  magazine  until  a  distant  click — the  head  passing  the  cartridge- 
stop — is  heard.  Repeat  the  operation  until  five  cartridges  have  been  inserted.  An- 
other may  then  be  placed  in  the  chamber. 

The  magazine  cut-off  is  found  on  the  right  of  the  piece,  just  in  the  rear  of  the 
bolt-handle.  It  serves  to  lock  the  magazine  so  that  the  arm  may  be  used  as  a  single 
loader  while  the  contents  of  the  magazine  are  held  in  reserve.  When  the  thumb- 
piece  is  pushed  forward,  however,  the  arrangment  of  the  mechanism  is  such  that 
no  cartridges  can  escape  from  the  magazine  to  the  chamber,  and  the  weapon  is 
practically  a  single  loader.  The  bolt-lock  is  placed  on  the  left  side  of  the  receiver, 
opposite  the  magazine  cut-off,  and  serves  at  the  same  time  to  lock  the  bolt  and  the 
trigger  in  such  a  manner  that  the  bolt  cannot  be  turned  or  drawn  back,  nor  the 
arm  fired.  To  lock  the  bolt  and  trigger  push  forward  the  thumb-piece  of  the  belt- 
lock  ;  this  can  only  be  done  when  the  bolt  is  closed  and  the  gun  cocked.  To  unlock 
the  bolt,  push  back  the  thumb-piece  of  the  bolt-lock. 

HUNT  MAGAZINE  GUN. 

This  gun  belongs  to  that  system  in  which  a  fixed  chamber  is  closed  by  a  bolt,  by 
direct  action.  The  receiver  has  a  slot  in  its  upper  surface  for  the  purpose  of  load- 
ing the  chamber  direct  when  the  piece  is  used  as  a  single  loader ;  it  is  also  bored 
through  at  the  rear  for  the  reception  of  the  breech-bolt.  The  latter  is  composed 
of  two  parts,  the  body  and  the  locking-tube,  which  are  connected  by  a  left-band 


188  AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 

screw-thread.  The  bolt  is  locked  by  two  lus^^s,  turnino^  in  corresponding;  cuts  in 
the  receiver.  These  lugs  are  so  shaped  on  their  rear  surfaces  as  to  cam  the  bolt 
ajT^ainst  the  base  of  the  cartridge  during  the  locking.  A  cam  on  the  inner  surface 
of  the  rear  end  of  the  locking-tube  forces  the  bolt  slightly  to  the  rear,  starting  the 
shell,  during  the  unlocking.  The  opening  of  the  joint  in  the  breech  bolt  (the 
thread  being  left-handed)  during  the  locking  aids  in  the  camming  forward  of  the 
bolt,  while  the  closing,  by  drawing  the  forward  portion  to  the  rear,  aids  the  start- 
ing of  the  shell.  When  the  bolt  is  withdrawn  the  extractor,  which  is  of  the  spring- 
hook  pattern,  pulls  on  the  upper  side  of  the  head  of  the  shell  while  the  under 
side  abuts  against  a  forked  post.  By  this  means  the  shell  is  thrown  clear  of  the 
gun.  In  order  to  insure  the  ejection  of  the  shell  a  quick  motion  of  the  bolt  is 
necessary.  The  forked  post  acts  also  as  a  guide  for  the  breech-bolt.  A  slot  in  the 
rear  of  the  bolt  receives  the  nose  of  the  hammer,  allowing  it  to  strike  the  firing-pin 
only  when  the  piece  is  locked.  A  slide  prevents  the  hammer  being  pulled  back 
by  catching  of  clothing,  etc.  It  must  be  moved  back  before  the  hammer  can  be 
cocked.  The  magazine,  which  is  in  the  tip-stock,  is  loaded  from  the  side  of  the 
receiver,  or  from  underneath,  by  first  raising  the  carrier  by  the  withdrawal  of 
the  breech-bolt.  The  carrier  has  two  grooves,  one  on  each  side,  on  its  inner 
surface.  In  these  grooves  projections  on  the  breech-bolt  enter.  As  the  bolt 
is  withdrawn  the  projections  travel  in  the  upper  horizontal  portion  of  the  grooves 
until  they  reach  inclined  faces  when,  by  the  pressure  against  them,  the  carrier 
is  compelled  to  rise,  bringing  a  cartridge  opposite  the  chamber.  When  the  bolt 
is  returned,  the  projections  travel  in  the  lower  horizontal  portion  of  the  grooves 
until  they  reach  other  inclined  faces,  when  the  carrier  descends  opposite  the 
mouth  of  the  magazine,  so  that  cartridges  cannot  escape  until  it  is  in  position 
to  receive  them.  No  magazine  cut-off  is  provided.  As  a  magazine  gun,  5  motions 
are  necessarv  to  operate  it,  viz. :  cocked,  opened,  loaded,  closed,  fired.  The 
gun  of  caliber  .44,  carries  13  cartridges  in  the  magazine,  i  in  the  carrier,  and 
I  in  the  chamber. 

ITHACA  GUNS 

These  guns  are  noted  for  strength  and  great  wearing  qualities,  are  popular 
for  all  nitro  powders  and  have  become  famous  for  their  shooting  qualities.  The 
drawing.  Figure  i  with  stock  removed,  shows  the  steel  breech  or  frame,  which  is 
forged  whole.  The  breech  is  exceedingly  strong  through  the  angle  of  the  frame, 
a  point  where  strength  is  most  needed.  The  drawing  also  shows  the  location 
and  arrangement  in  the  frame  of  the  few  parts  which  compose  the  forward 
action  locks.  The  central  draft  interchangeable  main  spring  lies  in  the  frame 
extending  under  the  barrels,  and  its  power  is  applied  direct  to  the  tumbler. 
As  the  working  parts  of  the  locks  are  wholly  contained  within  the  frame,  in  a 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 


180 


simple  and  compact  form,  it  avoids  the  necessity  of  cutting  away  and  weakening- 
the  stock.  In  addition  to  the  full  strength  of  the  stock  at  the  wrist,  it  is  still 
further  strengthened  by  the  tang  extending  nearly  the  whole  length  and  secured 
by  two  heavy  tang  screws,  which  makes  its  strength  and  durability  beyond  a 
question.  The  automatic  compensating  forend  is  held  in  place  by  the  action 
of  a  spring,  and  is  taken  ofif,  or  replaced,    by  lifting  at  the  end.     This  spring 


Figure  i. 

acts  as  a  cushion  in  opening  the  gun,  relieving  the  strain  at  the  hinge  joint, 
and  also  compensates  for  all  wear  at  the  joint  in  such  a  manner  that  the  gun  can 
never  get  loose  or  shaky  in  the  joint  by  rough  usage  or  hard  shooting. 

All  Ithaca  guns  are  choke-bored,  have  extension  rib,  rebounding  locks,  self- 
fastening,  compensating  forend  and  rubber  butt  plate ;  they  are  self-  compensating, 
taking  up  wear  at  every  point,  and  with  hammers  so  low  that  the  top  lever 
swings  completely  over  them,  giving  all  the  advantages  of  a  hammerless  gun 
when  taking  aim. 

With  a  view  to  the  requirements  and  demands  of  the  sportsman,  the  Ithaca 
hammerless  gun  has  been  produced.  The  No.  3  and  No.  4  guns,  shown  in 
Figures  2  and  3,  are  leaders.  These  guns  are  free  from  faults  and  disadvantages 
and  are  conspicuous  for  strength,  simplicity,  durability,  mechanical  construction, 
ease  4i  manipulation,  neat  and  attractive  appearance.  The  few  parts  com- 
posing the  locks  and  cocking  device,  are  made  of  steel  and  arranged  in  the 
frame  in  a  compact  form,  which  avoids  cutting  away  and  weakening  the  frame 
i  and  stock  and  at  the  same  time  enables  the  use  of  a  frame  no  larger  than  that 
of  an  ordinary  hammer  gun,  retaining  a  more  graceful  outline  and  greater 
strength  of  metal.  One  of  the  many  improvements  in  the  manipulation  of  the 
Ithaca  hammerless  gun  is  the  attachment  of  the  cocking  device,  which  enables 
one  to  put  on  and  remove  barrels  at  all  times,  same  as  a  hammer  gun,  without 
reference  to  the  gun  being  cocked  or  not,  thus  avoiding  the  necessity  of  the  con- 


190  AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 

tinued  tension  on  the  main  sprin-s  when  the  gun  is  not  in  use,  or  oblige  one 
to  cock  it  before  replacing  the  barrels.     The  locks  are  rebounding,  thus  avoiding 


Figure  2. 
the  danger  caused  by  firing  pins  pressed  upon  the  primers  with  full  force  of  the 
main  spring,  when  the  gun  is  not  cocked.     This  gun  is  also  provided  with  a 
combined  automatic  and  independent  safety,  which  can  be  changed  from  auto- 


Figure  3. 
matic  to  independent  by  a  touch  of  the  thumb,  and  vice  versa,  which  enables  one 
in  rapid  firing  to  use  his  gun  independent  of  the  safety  if  desired. 

Ithaca  guns  are  provided  with  an  auloniatic  ejector,  very  capable  of  its  work 
and  ejecting  from  the  barrel  fired  only.  This  device  is  placed  in  the  lug,  works 
directly  upon  the  extractor,  independent  of  the  main  spring,  detracts  nothing 
from  the  gun  locks,  and  at  the  same  time  gives  the  strongest,  most  durable 
and  best  ejector  made. 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 


191 


IVER  JOHNSON  ARMS. 

The  Iver  Johnson  safety  hammer  and  hammerless  automatic  revolvers  are 
so  constructed  that  it  is  impossible  to  explode  the  sliell  unless  the  finger  is  on 
the  trigger  at  the  point  of  firing.  The  rebounding  firing  pin  is  a  late  improve- 
ment. It  rebounds  of  itself,  and  is  entirely  independent  of  hammer,  trigger  or 
action.  This  device  allows  the  hammer  to  lie  always  in  its  natural  position, 
and  no  unsightly  opening  is  left  by  the  rebounding  of  the  hammer.  Besides 
this  vitally  important  and  original  improvement  there  have  been  incorporated 
many  other  valuable  devices,  such  as  the  barrel  catch,  cylinder  lock,  and  extractor 
cam ;  no  spring  has  any  tension  upon  it  except  when  in  operation . 

The  safety  hammer  comprises  three  essential  parts ;  the  hammer,  firing  pin, 
and  intervening  lever,  or  what  is  termed  the  raiser.     In  firing  the  revolver,  the 


Figure  i. 


hammer  strikes  the  raiser,  and  that,  in  turn,  the  firing  pin.  To  illustrate  the 
safe  qualities  of  this  weapon : — should  the  hammer  catch  in  the  pocket,  or 
should  the  hammer,  by  any  accident,  be  knocked  off  while  at  full  cock ;  or 
should  the  sear  be  released  in  any  other  than  the  natural  way,  it  is  utterly 
impossible  for  the  pistol  to  discharge.  In  order  to  explode  the  cartridge,  the 
finger  must  be  on  the  trigger  at  the  point  of  firing  or  when  the  trigger  releases 
the  sear.     Drawing  the  hammer  back  with  the  thumb  to  almost  full  cock,  the 


192  AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 

raiser  is  carried  up  to  a  relative  position  with  the  firing  pin ;  on.  releasing  the 
hammer  it  drops,  but  no  discharge,  as  the  raiser,  being  controlled  by  the  hammer, 
is  drawn  down  and  out  of  line  of  the  firing  pin.  If,  however,  we  pull  the  trigger, 
we  repeat  the  action  of  the  thumb ;  but,  at  the  point  of  firing,  or  as  the  trigger 
knocks  off  the  sear,  it  releases  the  raiser  from  the  hammer,  and  the  trigger 
holding  the  same  in  line  of  the  firing  pin,  the  hammer  strikes  in  the  natural 
way.  After  releasing  the  trigger,  the  raiser  drops  down,  leaving  a  receptacle 
for  the  rebound  of  the  firing  pin.  This  revolver.  Figure  i,  is  made  in  22,  32,  and 
38  caliber,  wnth  barrels  3,  3M,  4-  5,  and  6  inches  long.  The  chamber  is  5  shot 
and  takes  S.  &  W.  center  fire  cartridge.  In  the  22  caliber,  the  barrels  are  3.  4, 
and  5  inches  long.    The  chamber  is  7  shot  and  takes  a  rim  fire  cartridge. 

The  Iver  Johnson  safety  hammerless  revolver  embodies  all  the  principal  fea- 
tures of  the  safety  hammer  revolver,  viz. :  the  action,  barrel  catch,  and  rebounding 
lock,  together  with  the  device  for  locking  the  cylinder,  safety  catch,  etc.  It 
demands  recognition  of  the  following  advantages:  fewer  parts  than  any  of  its 
kind ;  an  easy  and  accessible  way  to  the  action,  by  a  top-plate ;  a  quick  and  effec- 
tive cylinder  lock ;  and  the  new  safety  catch  on  the  trigger,  new  in  itself,  and  the 
only  catch  that  will  lock  the  revolver  safely.  Most  revolvers  of  this  class  lock  the 
hammer  by  complicated  devices  arranged  in  such  a  way  that,  by  a  slight  accident, 
the  safety  becomes  disarranged,  and  it  is  impossible  to  operate  the  revolver.  The 
only  source  of  danger  to  a  hammerless  revolver  is  the  trigger,  and  to  overcome 
this  the  safety  catch  has  been  placed  in  the  trigger,  operating  against  the  guard 
and  independent  of  any  action  of  the  revolver.  Thus  we  have  a  safety  on  the 
trigger  and  a  safety  hammer.  This  excellent  revolver  is  made  in  32  and  38 
caliber.  The  lengths  of  the  barrels  are  3,  3^4,  4,  5?  and  6  inches.  The  chamber 
is  5  shot,  and  takes  a  S.  &  W.  center  fire  cartridge. 

The  Cycle  revolvers,  32  caliber,  with  a  barrel  2  inches  long,  were  originally 
designed  for  cyclists  as  a  protection  against  vicious  dogs  and  highwaymen ;  but 
they  are  now  in  use  by  thousands  of  people  desiring  a  light,  handy  pocket  weapon. 
They  are  constructed  on  the  same  principle  as  the  regular  hammer  and  hammer- 
less revolvers,  from  which  they  are  modeled.  The  same  safety  features  are 
used,  and  accidental  discharge  is  impossible. 

The  time  honored  American  and  lioston  Bull  Dog  revolvers,  of  which  more 
than  1,500,000  have  been  sold  during  the  last  twenty  years,  have  now  given  way 
to  the  Iver  Johnson  Model  1900  double  action,  wdiich  is  noted  for  its  small  number 
of  parts,  its  new  locking  device,  its  fluted  cylinder  to  accommodate  long  or  short 
cartridges,  and  its  very  neat  guard  and  trigger  owing  to  the  use  of  drop  forgings. 
It  is  made  in  22,  32,  and  38  caliber,  with  barrels  25^,  4^  and  6  inches  long.     Tlie 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS  193 

chamber  is  5  shot  and  takes  a  rim  fire  cartridge  for  the  22  caliber,  a  center  or 
rim  fire  cartridge  for  the  32  caUber  and  a  center  fire  cartridge  for  the  38  caliber. 

The  Iver  Johnson  semi-hammerless  automatic  ejector  single  gun  is  new  in 
principle,  having  neither  top  nor  side  action.  It  is  easy  to  load  and  fire  and  is 
absolutely  safe  in  any  position,  without  the  use  of  bungling  safety  devices.  It  can 
be  opened,  closed  and  fired  without  changing  the  position  of  the  hands.  This 
is  accomplished  by  the  barrel  catch,  which  is  made  with  a  loop  or  ring,  as  will  be 
seen  in  Figure  2,  and  which  is  easily  operated.     This  catch  locks  the  hammer, 


Figure  2. 

and  the  hammer,  in  turn,  locks  the  barrel  catch ;  therefore,  the  gun,  when  at  full 
cock,  can  not  be  opened  until  the  trigger  is  released  and  the  catch  operated.  If  the 
hammer  should  be  at  full  cock  and  the  barrel  open,  the  latter  could  not  be  closed. 
This  prevents  accidents;  for  should  the  barrel  fly  open  when  the  gun  is  discharged, 
an  accident  would  happen.  Again,  if  the  hammer  should  be  at  full  cock  and  the 
barrel  open,  a  shell  might  be  inserted,  the  gun  closed  and  the  trigger  touched,  also 
causing  accident.  This  can  not  happen,  however,  as  the  hammer  must  be  down 
before  the  gun  can  be  closed.  The  only  way  to  discharge  the  gun  is  to  pull  the 
trigger.  The  hammer  can  not  be  made  to  strike  the  shell  by  any  other  means. 
The  barrel  catch  is  so  constructed  that  it  will  take  up  all  wear  automatically  and 
the  gun  will  remain  tight.  It  is  not  necessary  to  remove  the  front  stock  to  take 
the  gun  apart,  as  a  neat  and  ingenious  device,  consisting  of  a  flush  head  locking 
bolt,  which  is  easily  operated,  holds  the  barrel  in  place ;  removed,  the  gun  is  apart. 
The  automatic  shell  ejector  is  positive  and  quick  in  action,  and  automati- 
cally throws  the  shell  from  the  gun  after  firing.  The  hammer  and  trijgger  are 
operated  by  the  same  spring,  the  hammer  getting  the  full  force  of  the  spring 
and  rebounding  only  after  the  trigger  is  released.  In  many  guns  the  spring  has 
to  be  heavy  and  stiff  to  overcome  the  rebound,  and  the  action  is  hard  in  conse- 
quence.     Other   features   are   the   single-locking   bolt;    rebounding   lock;    center 


194 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 


hammer;  and  fewness  of  parts.     The  12  gauge  has  a  30  or  32  inch  barrel  and 
weighs  6' 2  pounds.    The  16  gauge  has  a  30  inch  barrel  and  weighs  6M  pounds. 

The  new  trigger  action  gun,  Figure  3,  is  a  very  recent  production.  It  is  neither 
top  snap,  side  snap,  nor  ring  action,  the  gun  being  controlled  by  a  single  trigger 
which  becomes  effective  whenever  the  gun  is  closed  and  the  hammer  down ;  or,  in 
other  words,  when  tlie  hammer  is  cocked,  the  trigger  is  effective  only  with  relation 
to  the  firing  mechanism,  and  when  the  hammer  is  down  it  is  only  effective  with 
relation  to  the  action  of  the  gun. 


Figure  3. 

This  gun,  like  the  others,  is  very  simple  and  has  few  parts ;  the  main  spring 
operates  the  hammer  and  rebounding  lock ;  the  barrel  catch  automatically  takes  up 
wear,  and  by  reason  of  the  action  described  is  absolutely  safe. 

JOSLYN  GUN. 

This  very  effective  and  serviceable  gun  was  made  about  fifty  years  ago  and 
used  in  the  Civil  War,  requiring  a  .54  caliber  linen  cartridge.  It  could  be  loaded 
from  the  breech  or  from  the  muzzle.  The  stock  was  shaped  like  the  oldest  U.  S. 
muskets.  The  heel-plate,  guard  and  bands  were  made  of  solid  brass.  This  gun, 
although  an  effective  weapon,  is  not  used  to  any  great  extent  at  the  present  time, 
but  is  preserved  as  a  relic. 

JOSLYN-TOMES  GUNS. 

This  breech-loa'.ling  rifle  has  a  fixed  chamber  closed  by  a  movable  breech-block 
which  slides  in  the  line  of  the  barrel  by  direct  action.  It  is  opened  by  cocking  the 
hammer.  In  so  doing,  a  hook-shaped  shoulder  on  its  forward  ]M')rtion  is  dis- 
engaged from  a  corre!=ponding  recess  in  the  receiver;  and  the  wIk^Ic  holt  con- 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS  195 

taining  the  hammer  and  Jcck  is  free  to  move  backward  to  its  fullest  extent.  The 
firing-pin  being  linked  to  the  hammer  is  also  positively  withdrawn  from  the  face 
of  the  bolt.  The  piece  is  closed  by  reversing  the  motion  of  the  bolt.  It  is 
held  closed  by  a  spring-catch  (friction-pin)  on  its  side.  It  is  locked  by  the  descent 
of  the  hooked  portion  of  the  hammer  into  the  recess  of  the  receiver,  when  the 
piece  may  be  fired  by  a  back-action  lock  concealed  in  the  bolt,  the  trigger  alone 
being  detached.  The  firing  pin  descends  with  the  hammer  along  an  inclined 
groove  in  the  face  of  the  bolt  leading  to  the  site  of  the  fulmintae  in  the  center 
of  the  cartridge-head.  Extraction  is  accomplished  by  a  spring-hook  recessed  in 
the  side  of  the  bolt,  and  riding  over  the  rim  of  the  cartridge  when  the  piece  is 
closed.  Ejection  is  caused  by  the  cartridge-shell  being  quickly  withdrawn  on  two 
longitudinal  guides,  one  on  each  side  of  the  receiver,  and  ejected  by  the  head 
striking  first  a  stop  on  one  guide;  and  then  almost  simultaneously  a  stop  to  the 
rear  of  the  first,  on  the  other  guide. 

KEENE- REMINGTON  MAGAZINE  GUN. 

This  gun  has  the  magazine  located  under  the  barrel  and  all  of  tne  motions  are 
direct  and  positive.  The  cartridges  are  held  securely  in  position  while  passing 
from  the  magazine  over  the  carrier  to  the  chamber  in  the  barrel,  in  which  respect 
it  has  a  decided  advantage  over  other  magazine  arms.  The  cartridge  does  not  pass 
on  to  the  carrier  until  the  gun  is  opened  for  the  purpose  of  loading,  so  that  there 
is  no  danger  of  a  cartridge  being  exploded  in  the  carrier  in  case  a  defective 
cartridge  is  fired  in  the  gun. 

The  arm  is  always  left  at  half-cock,  and  the  breech  locked  so  that  it  can  not 
be  jarred  open  and  the  cartridge  lost  out.  From  the  half-cock  it  can  be  brought 
to  the  full-cock  readily  and  quickly  while  the  arm  is  being  carried  to  the  shoulder, 
and  without  removing  the  finger  from  the  trigger;  in  this  last  respect  differing 
from  many  other  magazine -guns,  which  can  only  be  cocked  by  removing  the  hand 
from  the  trigger. 

The  parts  are  all  large  and  strong,  and  can  be  readily  removed  and  replaced 
for  the  purpose  of  cleaning  or  inspection.  The  magazine  is  so  arranged  that  it 
can  be  charged  while  the  breech  is  closed,  thus  avoiding  the  entrance  of  dirt 
into  the  working  parts  of  the  gun.  The  gun  may  be  held  either  barrel  up  or 
reversed  for  this  purpose. 

To  charge  the  magazine. — Hold  the  arm  in  the  left  hand,  the  butt-stock  under 
the  right  arm.  Grasp  the  cartridge  between  the  thumb  and  the  forefinger  of  right 
hand,  and  press  it  forward,  bullet  first,  into  the  magazine  with  the  end  of  the 
thumb,  which  may  be  held  sideways  for  that  purpose.  The  magazine  may  be 
charged  with  the  breech  either  open  or  closed,  and  with  the  cut-off  lever  in  its 


196  AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 

forward  or  backward  position ;  but  it  is  more  convenient  to  do  so  with  the  breech 
closed  and  the  cut-off  lever  back. 

To  load  from  the  magazine. — First.  If  the  arm  has  been  fired  or  the  hammer 
is  down,  unlock  and  draw  back  the  breecli-bolt  (juickly  and  with  sufficient  force 
to  bring  it  clear  back,  thereby  locking  and  raising  the  carrier  and  bringing  up 
a  cartridge.  Shove  the  bolt  forward  and  lock  it ;  the  hammer  will  remain  at  half- 
cock.  If  it  is  desired  to  fire,  the  hammer  may  be  brought  to  full-cock  while  the 
arm  is  being  lifted  to  the  shoulder,  the  forefinger  remaining  on  the  trigger. 
Second.  If  the  arm  has  been  closed  and  left  at  half-cock,  lower  the  hammer  and 
then  proceed  as  before.  After  the  cartridge  has  been  transferred  from  the  maga- 
zine to  the  chamber,  it  should  either  be  fired  or  removed  from  the  gun  before 
another  cartridge  is  passed  through  the  carrier. 

To  use  the  arm  as  a  single  loader,  with  the  magazine  in  reserve,  push  the 
cut-off  lever  forward.  This  cuts  off  the  passage  of  the  cartridge  from  the 
magazine.  The  arm  may  then  be  used  as  a  single  loader.  This  gun  is  so  made 
as  to  be  left  at  half-cock  after  loading ;  but  if  it  is  preferred  to  have  it  left  at  full- 
cock,  it  is  only  necessary  to  remove  the  hammer  fly,  which  is  let  into  the  tumbler 
to  carry  the  trigger  over  the  full-cock  notch.     See  Remington  Anns. 

KELTON  GUN. 

This  .45  caliber  gun  is  adapted  to  the  old  Army  service  cartridge  (70  grains 
black  powder,  500  grains  bullet).  It  is  not  a  magazine  arm,  but  carries  under- 
neath the  stock  just  in  front  of  the  trigger  guard,  as  a  quick  loading  device,  a 
wooden  block  bored  to  receive  ten  cartridges.  In  apearance  like  the  Springfield, 
the  breech  block  is  modified  to  contain  a  spring  which,  by  the  action  of  a  hinged 
lever,  is  compressed  as  the  block  is  opened.  The  cam  is  the  same  as  in  the  Spring- 
field gun. 

KENNEDY  RIFLE. 

This  novel  repeating  ormagazine  rifle,  developed  and  introduced  by  the  Whitney 
Arms  Company,  has  the  magazine  placed  under  the  barrel,  and  is  operated  by 
a  lever,  the  backward  and  forward  movement  of  which  cocks  the  hammer,  opens 
the  breech,  throws  out  the  empty  shell,  and  brings  a  new  cartridge  into  place, 
ready  for  discharge. 

The  following  may  be  noted  as  the  advantages  of  this  arm :  It  has  all  the 
requirements  requisite  to  a  first-class  magazine  gun.  It  is  of  simple  construction, 
and  has  fewer  parts  than  any  other  magazine  rifle  operated  by  a  lever.  The  parts 
are  of  such  size  and  form  as  not  to  be  liable  to  break  or  get  out  of  order.  It  is 
very  easily  manipulated,  and  can  readily  be  understood  by  any  jXTSon  who  is  at  all 
familiar  with  fire-arms.     It  is  safe,   accidents   from   premature  discharge  being 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS  197 

impossible.  The  resistance  to  discharge  is  in  direct  Hne  with  the  bore  of  the  barrel. 
The  firing-pin  can  not  reach  the  head  of  the  cartridge  until  the  breech  is  fully 
closed — consequently  the  piece  can  only  be  fired  when  the  breech  is  locked.  The 
cartridge  used  is  the  45-caliber  center-fire,  United  States  Government  standard, 
containing  70  grains  of  powder  and  400  grains  of  lead.  When  a  lighter  charge 
is  desired,  the  United  States  carbine  cartridge — the  same  length  as  the  above — 
but  loaded  with  only  55  grains  of  powder,  may  be  used.  The  magazine  is  charged 
through  the  side  of  the  receiver  when  the  breech  is  closed,  and  the  rifle  can  be 
used  as  a  single  loader,  the  charged  magazine  being  held  in  reserve. 

The  arm  is  made  in  three  styles:  The  musket  weighs  9  lbs.  4  ozs.  The  barrel 
is  33-inch.  It  carries,  when  loaded,  1 1  cartridges.  The  carbine  weighs  7  lbs.  8 
ozs.  The  barrel  is  22-inch.  It  carries,  when  loaded,  7  cartridges.  The  sporting 
rifle  weighs  9  to  10  lbs.  The  barrel  is  28-inch.  It  carries,  when  loaded,  9  cart- 
ridges.    See  Phoenix  Rifle   and  Whitney  Rifle. 

KENTUCKY  RIFLE. 

This  old  rifle,  excellent  in  its  time,  was  made  for  the  U.  S.  Government  about 
the  year  1850,  at  Harper's  Ferry,  Va.  It  has  a  heavy  steel  barrel,  32  inches  long, 
well  rifled  and  adapted  for  .54  caliber  cartridges.  The  bands,  guard  and  butt- 
plate  are  solid  brass.  The  stock  has  a  brass  patch-box  in  the  side  for  holding 
cleaning  rags  or  musket  caps.  These  arms  are  largely  used  at  the  present  time, 
although  their  manufacture  ceased  many  years  ago. 

A  curious  arm,  labeled  Kentucky  Deer  Rifle,  in  the  collection  of  the  Holland 
Purchase  Historical  Society,  Batavia,  N.  Y.,  weighs  8  lbs.  153^  ozs.,  and  has  a 
barrel  42  inches  long.  Its  total  length  is  58  inches.  It  was  a  flint-lock  originally 
but  changed  to  pill  percussion  lock.  The  lock-plate  is  stamped  R.  Hyslop,  New 
York. 

KIRK  RIFLE. 

This  breech-loading  arm  has  a  fixed  chamber  closed  by  a  movable  breech-block, 
which  rotates  about  a  horizontal  axis  at  90  degrees  to  the  axis  of  the  barrel, 
lying  below  the  axis  of  the  barrel  and  in  front — being  moved  from  below  by  a 
lever. 

This  piece  is  a  modification  of  the  well-known  Spencer  repeating-rifle,  con- 
taining in  an  unwieldly  stock-butt,  six  magazine  tubes. 

KRAG-JORGENSEN  RIFLE. 

This  rifle,  model  1892  with  some  improvements,  is  the  present  arm  of  the  United 
States  Army.  It  is  not  American,  but  was  invented  by  Captain  O.  Krag,  Director 
of  the  Royal  Manufactory  of  Arms  at  Kongsberg,  Norway,  and  Mr.  E.  Jorgensen, 


198  AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 

Kongsberg,  Norway,  and  is  made  by  the  government  under  royalty  with  them  of 
one  dollar  for  each  rifle  manufactured.  The  author  does  not  consider  this  arm 
in  the  same  class  with  several  superior  American  rifles,  is  dissatisfied  with  results, 
and  is  entirely  convinced  that  it  is  unfit  for  service  work.  The  United  States 
Ordnance  Board  complacently  boasts  that  it  is  one  of  the  best  in  the  world,  and 
that  its  accurate  range  is  2000  yards.  Expert  riflemen  have  demonstrated  that 
the  cartridge  provided  for  the  Army  is  unreliable  at  half  that  range.  Experienc? 
has  shown  that  the  judgment  of  Ordnance  Boards  is  not  to  be  depended  upon, 
and  that  the  best  test  of  arms  is  the  work  of  expert  marksmen  on  the  range. 
Great  Britain  a  few  years  ago  discovered  through  its  National  Rifle  Association 
that  its  ammunition  was  almost  worthless,  and  this,  too,  after  it  liad  passed  the 
inspection  of  the  ordnance  experts  of  the  government,  who  pronounced  it  perfect. 
The  participants  in  the  Bisley  meeting  said  it  was  defective  and  <langerous,  and 
a  few  hours  after  the  meeting  was  opened  it  was  proved  so,  necessitating  its 
withdrawal  and  being  called  back  from  Great  Britain's  dependencies,  where  it 
had  been  sent  for  service. 

As  this  rifle  is  not  American,  the  author  will  not  make  a  detailed  description 
of  it;  but  will  refer  the  reader  to  the  Government  booklet  on  "The  Description 
and  Management  of  the  United  States  Magazine  Rifle  and  Carbine."  From  this 
all  desired  information  may  be  gleaned.  The  contradictory  left  drift  is  explained, 
clear  as  mud,  by  a  statement  that  the  "passage  of  the  ball  through  the  bore  deflects 
the  barrel,  causing  it  to  shoot  to  the  left."  The  reasons  for  this  anomaly  are  many, 
and  the  main  causes  and  their  effects  are  given.  The  bolt  is  supported  only  on  the 
right  of  the  bore.  The  recoil  is  not  met  symmetrically  by  the  mass,  but  to  the 
left  of  the  center.  The  overhanging  ounces  of  bolt  handle  and  magazine  set  up 
a  double  whip  action  seconding  the  impetus  given  by  the  left  thrust  of  the  bolt 
at  discharge.  The  motion  given  to  the  barrel  by  the  different  forces  acting  upon 
it  is  extremely  difficult  to  analyze.  In  practice,  recoil  starts  the  piece  backward 
in  prolongation  of  the  bore  initially ;  this  is  met  by  the  resistance  of  the  shooter's 
shoulder,  and  the  underhang  of  the  stock  at  a  point  averaging  45^  inches  below  the 
axis  of  the  bore.  The  inertia  of  the  muzle  holds  it  momentarily  still  while  the 
barrel  buckles  at  the  weakest  point.  The  forward  travel  of  the  ball  emphasizes 
the  rebound.  The  left  thrust  01  the  right  hand  bolt  lugs  and  overhang  on  the 
right  of  the  piece  contribute  a  left  whip  simultaneously  aided  by  the  spiral  vibra- 
tion and  wave  action  set  up  by  the  torque  of  the  ball  impinging  against  and  passing 
through  the  sharp  pitch  rifling.  This  last  effect  is  cumulative  as  the  ball  starts  at 
o  and  reaches  2,000  feet  per  second  at  the  muzzle.  We  have  one  force  exerted 
in  the  plane  of  fire ;  recoil.  Another  an  upward  whip  from  the  recoil  being  met 
43/^  inches  below  the  axis  of  bore.     A  left  whip  from  the  right  hand  support 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS  199 

of  the  bolt  and  overhanging  parts  on  the  right  of  the  recoil  lines,  while  the  spiral 
vibration  alters  and  blends  the  effect  of  all. 

These  compound  motions  will  inevitably  bell  the  muzzle.  The  bullet  at  a. 
revolution  of  144,000  times  a  minute  has  enough  gyrostatic  stability  to  act  as  an 
anvil  which  will  bruise  away  that  edge  of  the  barrel  presented  against  it  at  the 
final  flip  in  the  war  dance  of  complex  flexures.  Plug  tests  for  truth  of  bore  so 
far  have  found  tight  and  loose  spots  of  greater  or  less  degree  as  well  as  some 
bell  muzzles ;  no  perfect  barrel  has  yet  been  found.  The  stock  is  ridiculously  weak 
under  the  magazine.  On  account  of  the  peculiar  magazine  system,  no  packet  or 
charger  can  be  practically  used. 

LAIDLEY  MUSKET. 

.  In  the  construction  of  this  gun  the  same  form  and  motions  of  loading  and  firing- 
as  in  the  Springfield  rifle  have  been  retained  as  nearly  as  possible,  consistent  with  a 
moderate  expenditure  in  its  production.  An  old  smooth-bore  musket  is  taken, 
reamed  out  for  a  length  of  eleven  inches,  for  the  reception  of  a  coil  ribbon-spring, 
on  one  end  of  which  a  closely-fitting  piston  is  placed,  having  a  stem  of  about  five 
inches  attached  to  its  center;  a  hole  is  bored  through  the  breech-screw  and  a 
cut  made  on  its  under  side  to  receive  a  spring ;  a  circular  disk  with  a  flaring  hole 
through  its  center  is  secured  in  the  barrel  just  in  front  of  the  end  of  the  breech- 
screw;  a  short  lever  crosses  the  end  of  the  barrel  just  in  front  of  this  disk,  and  is 
held  in  position  by  the  spring  already  referred  to ;  the  hole  in  the  cone  is  enlarged 
and  receives  a  small  spindle  with  a  collar  at  its  middle,  which  prevents  it  from 
coming  out.  About  twelve  inches  from  the  breech  a  horizontal  cut  is  made 
through  the  top  of  the  barrel,  leaving  an  opening  of  2  inches  in  length ;  a  cylindri- 
cal plug,  having  a  hole  through  its  axle,  is  inserted  in  the  barrel  at  this  place, 
and  a  handle  screwed  in.  An  inner  barrel,  having  a  bore  of  .2.2  inch  and  a  length 
of  17  inches,  its  upper  end  counter-bored,  is  inserted  in  the  barrel  and  secured 
by  a  screw ;  the  length  of  the  block  is  such  as  to  close  the  space  between  the 
chambered  recess  and  the  end  of  the  inner  barrel.  A  hole  is  bored  through  the 
side  of  the  stock  to  communicate  with  the  hole  through  the  breech-screw. 

LANCASTER  RIFLE. 

This  rather  unique  arm  has  a  slightly  oblate  bore.  The  twist,  as  found  by 
experience  to  be  most  advantageous,  is  one  turn  in  52  inches.  The  approved 
diameter  of  the  bore  is  .498  inch,  the  length  of  the  barrel  being  32  inches.  An 
eccentricity  of  .01  inch  in  half  an  inch  is  found  sufficient  to  make  the  bullet  spin 
on  its  axis  to  the  extreme  verge  of  its  flight.  The  length  of  the  bullet  found  to 
answer  best  with  these  rifles  is  23/4  diameters  in  length  with  a  windage  of. 004. 


200  AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 

The  four  barrel  Lancaster  hammerless  pistol  is  occasionally  used,  though  the 
revolver  has,  of  course,  nearly  supplanted  it.  In  general  construction  it  much 
resembles  the  early  Sharps  four  barrel  pistol  made  in  this  country,  and  like  it, 
accuracy  for  all  four  barrels  is  impossible  to  attain. 

LARSEN  GUN. 

This  magazine  gun  holds  five  cartridges.  The  magazine  can  be  cut  off  by 
sliding  the  box  bodily  down  until  a  stud  engages  in  the  upper  notch  on  the  rear 
of  the  box. 

LEE  GUN. 

This  gun  is  practically  the  arm  known  as  the  Lee-Speed,  and  as  regards  the 
principle  of  its  bolt  and  magazine  mechanism,  does  not  differ  from  that  system. 

In  the  bolt,  the  bolthead  is  made  longer,  and  the  bolthead  screw  which  engages 
in  the  slot  in  the  shank  of  the  bolthead  is  replaced  by  a  lug  on  the  bolthead,  which 
!turns  a  groove  on  the  guide  rib,  which  is  given  a  projection  over  it  for  that 
purpose.  A  channel  on  the  side  of  the  bolt  and  bolthead,  intended  to  permit 
passage  over  the  ejector-stud,  is  made  necessary  in  consequence  of  a  slight  change 
in  the  walls  of  the  receiver. 

The  magazine  is  made  broader  and  slightly  shallower,  permitting  the  cartridges 
to  be  arranged  close  together  and  increasing  the  capacity  of  the  magazine  to  ten 
cartridges.  The  shape  of  the  cut-off  slide  and  its  catch  is  slightly  altered.  See 
Lee  Straight  Pull  Rifle. 

LEE-METFORD  GUN. 

The  embodiment  of  all  improvements  in  the  Lee  gun.  The  English  Secretary  of 
State  for  War  says  this  arm  is  superior  to  any  rifle  in  course  of  manufacture  by 
any  foreign  government.  Americans  must  congratulate  Messrs.  James  P.  Lee, 
C.  M.  Dally  and  Hartley  &  Graham  upon  this  verdict  of  approval. 

LEE  STRAIGHT  PULL  RIFLE. 

The  superiority  of  this  rifle  rests  on  the  fact  that  the  operation  of  opening  and 
closing  is  by  a  "staight  pull,"  instead  of  the  customary  "up  turn"  and  "pull  back." 
The  face  Ihat  this  gun  is  a  rapid  fire  repeating  rifle  should  be  borne  in  mind.  It 
is  always  r^ady  for  rapid  fire,  as  the  time  consumed  in  opening  the  breech  and 
inserting  a  clip  is  very  short,  when  five  shots  are  instantly  ready  for  delivery. 
These  five  iOiots  may  be  delivered  without  taking  the  gun  from  the  shoulder, 
and  it  may  also  be  loaded  in  this  ])()siti(Mi,  as  it  need  not  be  brought  down  to 
insert  a  dip  unless  desired.  This  gun  may  be  used  as  a  single  loader,  and  at  the 
same  time  retain  a  magazine  charged  with  five  cartridges,  it  merely  being  neces- 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS  201 

sary  to  place  a  sixtfi  cartridge  under  the  extractor ;  on  closing  the  bolt  the  cartridge 
will  be  pushed  into  the  chamber;  this  mode  of  firing  may  be  continued  as  long 
as  desired,  and  yet  the  gun  will  be  ready  for  any  emergency  with  its  magazine 
charged.  Another  important  point  in  favor  of  this  rifle  is  its  adaptability  as  a 
single  loader.  It  may  be  operated  with  single  cartridges  with  great  speed,  as  no 
special  care  is  necessary  in  inserting  them  in  the  gun — they  may  be  placed  either 
directly  in  the  chamber,  in  front  of  the  extractor,  or  under  it — and  this  can  be 
done  without  taking  the  gun  from  the  shoulder.  In  this  gun,  the  recoil  from  the 
discharge  has  the  effect  of  locking  the  breech  mechanism.  The  bolt  has  on  its  under 
side  a  recoil  shoulder,  which,  when  the  bolt  is  closed,  lies  against  a  corresponding- 
shoulder  in  the  receiver.  This  recoil  shoulder,  being  below  the  line  of  recoil, 
causes  the  thrust  of  the  discharge  to  be  slightly  downward,  tending  to  more 
securely  lock  the  bolt,  and  yet  offering  no  resistance  to  the  opening  of  the  breech 
by  the  operator.  The  gun  is  furnished  with  a  brush  cleaner,  carried  in  a  recess  in 
the  butt  closed  by  a  sliding  cover. 

The  gun  is  manipulated  as  follows :  The  trigger  having  been  pulled,  grasp  the 
cam-lever  handle,  and  pull  the  bolt  smartly  to  the  rear.  Grasp  a  clip  or  pack, 
containing  five  cartridges,  between  the  thumb  and  first  two  fingers  of  the  right 
hand,  and,  pushing  the  extractor  to  the  left  with  the  lowest  cartridge,  insert  the 
pack  in  the  magazine,  either  side  up,  keeping  the  clip  close  to  ttie  face  of  the 
bolt.  With  the  thumb  on  the  pack  near  the  head  of  the  top  cartridge,  push  it  down 
until  the  cartridges  are  released  from  the  clip,  which  will  drop  out  through  the 
bottom  of  the  magazine  in  the  course  of  firing;  the  cartridges  are  then  raised 
by  the  follower  until  the  top  one  touches  the  under  side  of  the  extractor,  and  the 
upper  portion  of  its  head  is  in  front  of  the  bolt.  Close  the  gun  by  pushing  the 
bolt  forward  smartly,  thus  entering  a  cartridge  into  the  chamber.  The  gun  is 
now  ready  to  be  discharged,  and  the  bolt  can  not  be  drawn  back  unless  the  bolt 
release  is  pushed  down,  or  until  the  trigger  is  pulled,  which  of  course  discharges 
the  gun.  If  it  is  not  desired  to  fire  the  gun  at  once,  the  firing-pin  may  be  rendered 
inoperative  by  pulling  up  the  firing-pin-lock,  on  the  left  of  the  receiver,  until  it 
clicks.  The  firing-pin-lock  must  be  pulled  up  with  some  force,  in  order  to  over- 
come the  tension  of  the  mainspring.  Pushing  the  firing-pin  lock  down  releases  the 
firing-pin  striker,  and,  if  the  trigger  is  pulled,  the  gun  will  be  discharged.  After 
firing,  draw  the  bolt  back  smartly,  the  empty  cartridge  case  being  extracted  and 
ejected  to  the  right.  On  again  closing  the  bolt,  another  cartridge  is  pushed  into 
the  chamber.  If  it  is  desired  to  use  ammunition  without  clips,  the  magazine  may 
be  charged  with  single  cartridges,  which  should  be  inserted  under  the  extractor, 
with  their  heads  at  the  rear  of  the  magazine  and  in  front  of  the  clip-release-ways. 
In  cleaning  the  gun,  enter  the  weight  of  the  cleaner  into  the  muzzle  and  let  it 


202  AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 

run  through  the  barrel.  Draw  the  brush  through  the  bore  and  chamber.  If  the 
hore  appears  dirty  after  two  or  three  trials,  insert  a  small  piece  of  soft  cloth, 
saturated  with  oil,  in  the  loop  of  the  cleaner,  and  again  draw  it  through  the  barrel. 
To  clean  the  chamber,  put  a  small  piece  of  cloth  in  the  loop  of  the  cleaner,  and 
thrust  it  into  the  chamber  from  the  rear.  The  brush  end  of  the  cleaner  is  made 
sufficiently  long  for  this  purpose. 

To  dismount  the  gun,  the  trigger  being  pulled,  press  outward  and  downward 
on  bolt  stop  thumb  piece,  and  pull  out  bolt  to  the  rear,  keeping  thumb  on  end  of 
extractor  to  prevent  its  dropping.      Push  firing-pin  striker  out   from  bolt   until 


SYSTEM  CLOSED 

notch  on  its  lower  end  is  freed  from  nib  of  cam  lever  and  turn  cam  lever  clear  of 
striker ;  then  let  go  of  striker.  Remove  cam  lever,  then  firing-pin  striker.  Drive 
out  firing-pin  stop-pin,  and  shake  firing-pin  3.nd  firing-pin  spring  out  from  bolt. 
Remove  collar  from  firing-pin  striker,  and  take  off  mainspring  by  unscrewing 
to  the  front  through  slot  at  point  of  striker.     Unscrew  trigger  guard  screw  and 


SYSTEM    OPEN. 

receiver  tang  screw,  and  remove  trigger  guard.  Place  finger  on  rear  end  of 
follower,  and  push  down  until  lugs  are  opposite  clearance  cut  in  magazine  wall : 
spring  right  hand  lug  out  through  cut,  and  allow  elevator  arm  to  rise,  turning 
completely  over;  then  remove  elevator  arm  from  its  seat.  Remove  sear  spring  anil 
sear  fly.  Unscrew  trigger  spring  screw.  Remove  sear  and  trigger  by  driving 
out  pins  securing  them.  Take  out  band  screws,  and  remove  bands.  Raise  rear 
s'ght  leaf  to  its  vertical  position,  sight  slide  at  top.     Presr.  barrel  cover  forward 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS  203 

to  clear  bevel  under  front  end  of  rear  sight  base,  and  remove  it  from  barrel.  Lift 
"barrel  and  receiver  out  of  stock.  Press  out  on  bolt  stop  thumb  piece  to  clear  stop 
slot,  and  push  bolt  stop  down  and  out.  Remove  lock  pin.  located  in  rear  of  firing- 
pin  lock  or  under  side  of  receiver,  by  means  of  notch  in  front  side  of  head.  Spring 
out  checked  end  of  bolt  release,  to  clear  stop  pin  from  slot,  and  take  out  bolt 
release.  Push  firing-pin  lock  down  until  lug  at  its  lower  end  clears  guide;  then 
turn  it  outward,  and  remove  through  slot  in  frame  of  receiver.  To  assemble  the 
gun,  enter  the  firing-pin-lock  through  slot  in  side  of  receiver,  and  turn  it  up,  and 
in,  until  lug  at  its  lower  end  clears  guide ;  then  press  it  up  into  place.  Put  in  bolt 
release  and  spring  it  into  position.  Force  in  lock  pin,  with  lug  bearing  against 
firing-pin-lock.  Enter  bolt  stop  and  slide  it  into  place.  Place  barrel  and  receiver 
in  stock.  Put  on  barrel  cover  and  bands,  and  screw  in  band  screws.  Place  sear, 
trigger,  and  trigger  spring  in  trigger  guard,  securing  them  by  their  pins  and 
screw.  Enter  sear  fly  in  its  seat  on  sear,  and  put  in  sear  soring.  Place  elevator 
arm  in  its  seat,  follower  down,  engaging  hole  in  elevator  spring  with  pin ;  swing 
elevator  arm  over,  holding  point  of  follower  up,  and  push  lug  through  clearance 
cut ;  then  allow  elevator  arm  to  rise  into  place.  Place  trigger  guard  m  stock,  and 
screw  in  trigger  guard  ccrew  and  receiver  tang  screw.  Enter  square  end  of 
mainspring  into  slot  at  point  of  firing-pin  striker  and  screw  it  on.  Put  collar  on 
firing-pin  striker  so  that  square  end  of  mainspring  rests  in  notch  on  its  front  end. 
Place  firing-pi  spring  on  firing-pin  and  enter  them  into  bolt,  securing  firing-pin 
by  stop-pin.  Put  firing-pin  striker  in  bolt,  and  enter  cam-lever  in  its  seat.  Turn 
handle  of  cam-lever  back  until  nib  engages  notch  on  firing-pin  striker.  Hold  rear 
end  of  extractor  against  small  lug  on  left  side  of  bolt ;  then  enter  bolt  and  extractor 
into  receiver.  Put  up  bolt  stop  and  thumb  piece  to  lock  bolt  in  receiver.  See 
Winchester  Arms. 

LEFEVER  GUN. 

The  Lefever  automatic  hammerless  gun.  model  1898-99,  with  or  \vithout  the 
automatic  shell  ejector,  Figure  i,  has  good  points  all  around,  symmetry  of  pro- 
portion, finish,  balance,  wear,  penetration  and  general  shooting  qualities.  It  is 
built  with  compensated  action  to  take  up  the  wear  in  every  direction.  Especial 
attention  is  given  to  boring  for  trap  and  wild  fowl  shooting.  All  grades  of  the 
gun  are  bored  on  the  taper  system,  giving  the  greatest  penetration  and  even  distri- 
bution of  shot,  are  built  for  both  black  an  1  nitro  powder,  and  handle  both  with 
equally  good  results.  The  improved  cocking  hook  dispenses  with  many  small  pieces 
contained  in  the  former  models.  The  new  cocking  hook  actually  performs  the  work 
of  ten  pieces  thus  displaced.  The  cocking  hook  by  one  operation  raises  both 
hammers  to  full  cock,  ejects'  the  shells  and  forms  a  check  hook  that  takes  the 
strain  entirely  off  the  hinge  joint.    This  cocking  hook  allows  the  gun  to  open  more 


204 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 


easily  than  formerly,  the  hook  being  V2  inch  longer  and  allows  the  gun  to  be 
thrown  open  with  one  hand,  leaving  the  other  free  to  insert  the  shell.     With  only 


Figure  i. 

one  piece  required  to  operate  every  movement  of  the  mechanism  it  makes  an  action 
absolutely  positive,  one  that  will  not  get  out  of  order.  These  advantages  are 
worthy  of  the  careful  consideration  of  the  sportsman. 

The  compensating  features  of  the  action  are  shown  in  Figue  2.  F,  is  a  com- 
pensating ball  and  socket  joint.  If,  after  a  long  use  and  heavy  loading,  the  gun 
should  become  open  at  the  breech  and  allow  the  gas  to  escape,  by  closing  the  gun 
and  turning  this  screw  to  the  right  as  far  as  possible,  the  barrels  are  forced  back 
against  the  face  of  the  frame  and  joint  made  as  tight  as  when  the  gun  first  left 
the  factory.  The  ball  is  made  of  fine  cast  steel  and  tempered.  C,  is  a  cast  steel 
bolt  with  bearing  cut  on  level  of  15  degrees.  B,  is  a  top  fastener  with  notch  ctit 
to  correspond  with  bolt  bearing.  In  case  of  wear  on  either  the  bolt  or  top  fastener, 
the  bolt  will  enter  farther,  thus  taking  up  the  wear  without  aid  of  a  screw.     A 


Figure  2. 

square  shouldered  top  fastener  B,  is  used,  having  by  experience  found  that  the 
round  head  top  fastener  fitting  down  into  the  breech  has  a  tendency  to  spread  it. 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS  205 

This  top  fastener  has  a  bearing  on  each  side  of  the  neck  one-eighth  of  an  inch  in 
thickness  and  three  quarters  of  an  inch  in  depth.  This  in  connection  with  the  self- 
compensating  bolt,  makes  it  utterly  impossible  for  this  action  to  be  shot  loose  by 
gunpowder.  The  new  bolt  does  away  with  several  pieces  and  accomplishes  the 
compensation  by  simply  cutting  the  bearings  of  top  fastener  and  bolt  on  an  angle 
of  15  degrees,  thus  allowing  the  bolt  to  enter  further  as  the  wear  takes  place. 

As  shown  in  the   perspective  view,  Figure  3,  the  improved  ejector  movement 
consists  of  only  two  pieces,  one  in  the  frame  and  one  'n  the  hammer.     This  con- 


Figure  3. 

struction  does  not  in  any  way  change  or  interfere  with  the  action  of  the  gun,  thus 
leaving  the  square  shoulder  top  fastener  and  compensating  features  intact.  A, 
is  a  lever  pivoted  in  the  frame  with  projections  on  the  front  end  and  notch  on  the 
rear  end  and  is  actuated  by  the  upper  arm  and  main  spring.  B,  is  a  hook  pivoted 
in  the  hammers  and  is  always  in  contact  with  the  notch  in  the  end  of  the  lever,  so 
when  the  hammers  lift,  in  cocking,  the  rear  end  of  the  lever  is  forced  down.  When 
the  hammers  reach  the  cock  notch,  the  hook  B  is  released,  thus  forcing  the  front 
end  of  this  lever  A,  which  is  in  contact  with  the  lever  in  the  lug,  thus  forcing 
out  the  extractor  and  shells. 

The  following  advantages  of  the  Lefever  hammerless  gun  are  apparent,  i.  Very 
strong  and  simple  acticn .  2.  Compensated  action  to  take  up  wear  in  every  direc- 
tion. 3.  Long  frame,  increasing  strength  of  action.  4.  No  thicker  frame  than  an 
ordinary  hammer  gun,  avoiding  the  clumsy  and  "out  of  proportion"  appearance 
of  the  majority  of  hammerless  guns.  5.  The  locks  and  action  can  be  taken  apart 
and  cleaned  as  easily  as  a  hammer  gun.  The  gun  can  be  taken  apart  and  put  to- 
gether with  the  hammers  up  or  down.  6.  The  position  of  the  hammers  can  be  as- 
certained by  the  indicators  as  readily  as  with  a  hammer  gun.  7.  Hammers  can- 
not be  jarred  off,  even  with  a  trigger  pull  as  light  as  two  pounds.  8.  The  only 
action  with  one  piece  to  raise  hammers,  extract  shells  and  foim  a  check  to  take 
the  strain  off  hinge  joint.    9.  The  action  of  the  locks  is  twice  as  quick  as  a  hammer 


206  AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 

gfun,  thus  incrcasiiifj^  tlu  chances  of  the  sportsman  when  firine:  at  quick-moving 
objects.  lo.  No  hammers  to  obstruct  the  sight  or  catch  on  twigs  or  bushes,  ii. 
The  safety  can  be  made  either  automatic  or  non-automatic.  12.  The  use  of  gas- 
tight,  independent  phmgcrs  prevents  any  chance  for  escape  of  gas  into  the  locks. 
13.  The  locks  are  rebounding.  14.  Both  hammers  being  raised  by  a  single  lever, 
need  no  adjustment  screws  or  pins  to  make  them  cock  together.  15.  The  ease 
with  which  the  gun  is  opened,  there  being  but  little  friction  to  overcome,  as  only 
one  piece  is  employed  to  raise  the  hammers.  16.  Little  liability  to  misfire  because 
no  levers  or  cocking  rods  obstruct  the  fall  of  the  hammers.  17.  Interchangeable 
main  spring.  18.  Self-compensating  bolt.  iq.  Cocking  device  has  only  one  lever 
to  raise  both  hammers.  20.  Can  be  taken  apart  or  put  together  with  the  hammers 
in  any  position.  21.  Has  a  powerful  check-hook  which  takes  all  strain  off  of  the 
hinge  joint. 

LEWIS-RICE  MAGAZINE  GUN. 

This  gun  belongs  to  that  system  in  which  a  fixed  chamber  is  closed  by  a  mova- 
ble breech-block  rotating  about  a  horizontal  axis  at  right  angles  to  and  below  the 
axis  of  the  barrel  and  in  front  The  cam  is  held  in  position  by  a  spring,  one  branch 
of  which  serves  as  a  trigger-spring.  The  breech-block  is  simply  a  box  containing 
the  firing-pin,  a  bell  crank  lever,  one  arm  of  which  controls  the  motion  of  the  fir- 
ing-pin, the  mainspring,  trigger-spring,  etc.  The  box  is  closed  by  a  cover  in  a  slot 
in  which  is  situated  the  extractor.  In  operating  the  lever,  so  as  to  open  the  block, 
a  point  bears  against  the  surface  of  the  cam,  presses  it  forward,  and  unlocks  the 
piece.  During  the  unlocking,  the  lower  arm  of  the  firing-pin  lever  is  so  moved  by 
the  nose  of  the  cocking-lever  as  to  cause  the  upper  arm  to  retract  the  firing-pin. 
When  the  lever  has  been  rotated  sufficiently,  the  trigger-spring  causes  the  nose  of 
the  trigger  to  enter  the  full-cock  notch ;  at  the  same  time  the  shoulder  of  the  cam 
rides  over  the  point  of  the  trigger.  The  piece  cannot  then  be  fired  until  the  cam 
is  in  its  seat.  The  extractor  is  a  flat  blade,  turning  on  the  same  axis  as  the  lever, 
and  operated  by  the  shoulders  of  the  slot  in  the  cover  of  the  breech-block  in  which 
it  lies.    The  magazine  is  in  the  butt-stock.     It  is  loaded  at  the  side,  near  the  rear. 

LOVELL  REVOLVER, 

This  revolver  designed  by  Captain  Hben  Swift,  of  the  Fifth  United  States  Cav- 
alry, and  Mr.  Lovell  is  .38  caliber  and  double  action.  It  is  an  e.xtremely  well- 
made  arm,  combining  all  the  best  features  of  the  standard  revolvers  of  its  class. 
The  terrific  recoil  of  the  old  Army  .45  caliber  Colt  revolver  made  it  an  object  of 
dread  to  most  officers  and  men.  To  avoid  this  recoil  and  at  the  same  time  produce 
the  maximum  stopping  power  were  considerations  which  knl  Captain  Swift  in  his 
co-operation  to  produce  this  new  model. 


AMERICAN    SMALL    ARMS  207 

LYMAN  RIFLE  AND  SHOT  GUN  SIGHTS. 

The  optical  principle  involved  in  the  Lyman  rear  sight  is  new  in  its  application. 
When  aiming  it  has  the  appearance  of  a  ring,  which  shows  the  front  sight  and  the 
object  aimed  at,  without  intercepting  any  part  of  the  view.  Figure  i  gives  an  ap- 
proximate idea  of  how  the  sight  appears  wdien  aiming.  It  will  be  noticed  that  the 
top  of  rifle  barrel  and  front  sight  are  seen  as  distinctly  as  if  no  rear  sight  was  used. 
Figure  2  shows  how  the  common  open  sight  appears  when  aiming.  The  most 
important  part  of  the  view  is  shut  out,  besides  the  great  difficulty  of  quickly 
getting  the  front  sight  in  the  notch  of  the  rear  sight.  The  aperture  of  the  sight, 
being  very  near  the  eyes,  is  greatly  magnified  as  compared  with  the  notch  in  the 
common  open  sight.  This  feature  gives  many  an  impression  that  an  aperture 
which  looks  so  large  cannot  allow  of  an  accurate  aim ;  whereas,  the  larger  the 
aperture  looks,  the  more  accurate  the  aim.  The  aperture  could  be  made  consider- 
ably larger  and  still  be  accurate.  Many  prefer  the  large  aperture  reamed  out 
to  be  5-32  inch  in  diameter  for  wing  shooting.  The  center  of  this  large  aperture 
has  a  degree  of  light  the  same  as  the  light  wihich  is  present  outside  of  the  sight. 
This  light  slightly,  but  gradually,  diminishes  as  the  rim  of  the  sight  is  approached. 


Figure  i.  Figure  2. 

This  center  of  stronger  light  partly  explains  the  fact  that  the  eye  takes  care  of 
itself  when  no  attention  is  paid  to  the  sight,  and  why  it  naturally  finds  the  center 
of  the  aperture.  With  this  sight  there  is  no  difficulty  in  using  both  eyes,  which 
is  always  a  help  in  shooting  when  one  has  acquired  the  habit.  WHien  both 
eyes  are  used  the  right  eye  does  the  aiming,  while  the  left  eye  sees  everything 
except  the  rear  sight.  The  distance  from  the  Lyman  sight  to  the  front  sight  is 
nearly  twice  as  great  as  from  the  ordinary  open  sight  to  the  front  sight,  which, 
in  itself,  doubles  the  accuracy.  The  great  feature  of  this  sight  is  that  the  eye  is 
guided  without  any  change  of  focus  or  effort  to  see  more  than  is  seen  when 
shooting  without  a  rear  sight.  This  is  accomplished  by  a  slight,  but  sufficient 
interference  of  the  vision  of  the  aiming  eye  by  the  rim  of  the  sight.  The  reason 
that  the  view  is  not  obscured  in  any  direction  is  that  the  pupil  of  the  eye  is  about 
the  same  diameter,  in  ordinary  lights,  as  the  rim  of  the  sight  is  wide,  and  the 


208  AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 

eye  sees  nearly  around  it.  With  ordinary  sights  the  eye  has  to  observe  or  look  at 
three  things — the  rear  sight,  the  front  sight,  and  the  object ;  andi  in  aiming  it 
changes  its  focus  at  least  once.  Tlie  eye  can  see  only  one  of  these  objects  dis- 
tinctly at  a  time,  but  as  it  has  the  power  of  accommodation,  i.  e.,  changes  its  focus 
by  flattening  or  thickening  its  lens  at  will,  it  first  observes  the  relation  of  the 
front  sight  with  the  rear  sight.  Then  it  must  look  ahead,  changing  this  focus 
to  observe  the  front  sight  and  the  object,  and  when  in  this  last  position  the  front 
sight  and  the  rear  sight  are  seen  together  more  or  less  indistinctly  against  the 
object  which  then  has  the  eye  focus.  Old  eyes  lose  the  power  of  accommodation 
and  cannot  change  the  focus  of  the  lens,  which  has  become  hardened  and  flat- 
tened. They  then  have  accurate  far  sight  only.  Sucli  eyes  cannot  use  the  ordi- 
nary sights  at  all.  The  following  are  some  of  tlie  advantages  of  this  sight  over 
other  rear  sights:  i.  With  this  sight  almost  instantaneous  aim  can  be  taken,  for 
the  object  is  sighted  as  quickly  as  if  only  the  front  sight  were  used.  2.  This  sight 
cannot  shut  out  the  view  of  the  front  sight,  nor  the  object  to  be  aimed  at;  while, 
with  any  other  rear  sight,  the  chief  difficulty  in  aiming  is  to  bring  the  sights  and 
object  quickly  into  line  without  interfering  with  the  view  of  the  front  sight  or  the 
object.  3.  This  sight  can  be  used  when  the  light  becomes  too  dim  to  use  any 
other  rear  sight,  hence  its  great  value  in  the  woods  or  late  in  the  day.  4.  Old 
eyes  that  can  no  longer  use  the  crotch  sights  can  use  this  sight  and  shoot  better 
than  they  ever  could  with  the  common  sight.  5.  With  this  sight  it  is  a  hundred- 
fold easier  to  shoot  moving  objects,  running  or  flying,  and  both  the  eyes  can  be 
used  as  well  as  one  eye;  it  is  also  far  more  accurate  than  any  other  open  sight, 
and,  in  most  respects,  is  better  for  target  shooting  than  the  peep  sight.  6.  Any 
kind  of  front  sight  can  be  used  with  this,  and  it  is  so  simple  and  strong  that  there 
is  no  danger  of  it  being  injured.  7.  This  sight  is  indispensable  for  a  hunting 
rifle,  and  makes  it  possible  to  bring  to  bag  much  game  that  is  on  the  wing. 
8.  Breaking  glass  balls  from  the  trap  is  made  easy;  no  "guess\\"ork"  about  it 
when  this  sight  is  used.  9.  It  can  be  put  on  any  rifle  in  the  same  way  that  a 
peep  sight  is  attached.  10.  It  can  be  adjusted  for  shooting  any  distance  up  to 
1,000  yards. 

Figure  3  shows  the  sight  stem  removed  from  the  sleeve,  with  the  small  pin 
at  the  end.  After  the  sight  is  attached  to  the  rifle,  it  should  be  tested  at  fifty  >^rds 
for  "point  blank"  shooting;  when  the  sight  is  adjusted  for  this  distance,  mark 
the  sight  stem  at  the  top  of  the  sleeve.  Then  turn  it  out  and  drive  the  pin  into 
the  hole  at  the  end.  Screw  the  sight  stem  back,  and  if  it  is  above  the  mark 
remove  it  again  and  file  the  pin  shorter,  until  it  is  right  for  shooting  at  fifty  yards. 
The  stop  pin  is  quite  important,  as  it  prevents  the  sight  from  ever  being  too  low  for 
"point  blank"  shooting.      By  holding  the  front  sight  high  on  tlie  object  when 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 


209 


taking  a  long  shot  it  is  not  often  necessary  to  elevate  this  sight  when  hunting. 
Figure  4  shows  the  sight  foldfed  down.  The  Lyman  combination  sight,  with  cup 
disc,  is  shown  in  Figure  5.  It  has  a  large  detachable  disc  and  is  intended  for 
Match  rifles  and  Gallery  rifles.  It  is  not  as  good  for  "all  around"  shooting  as 
the  Combination  sight.      Many  target  shooters  like  it,  however,  for  it  is  much 


Figure  3.  Figure  5. 

better  than  the  ordinary  Vernier  peep  sight.  The  disc  of  this  sight  is  easily 
removed,  and  the  shooter  will  find  that  for  most  practice  better  work  can  be  done 
with  it  off.  The  Wind-gauge  target  sight  with  this  sight  makes  a  good  outfit 
for  a  Match  rifle.  Those  who  use  it  for  Gallery  shooting  can  improve  the  disc 
by  enlarging  the  aperture  to  3-32  inch  diameter,  or  1-16  inch  at  least. 

On  most  rifles  the  rear  combination  sisfht  can  be  screwed  directly  to  the  tang 


Figure  6. 
bv  anvone  not  a  mechanic.     As  some  rifles,  however,  have  no  screw-holes  in  the 


210 


AMERICAN   SMALL   ARMS 


tang  for  a  rear  sight,  it  will  be  necessary  to  make  some.  After  screwing  the  base 
to  the  tang,  turn  the  sight  up,  so  that  the  spring  in  the  joint  holds  it  in  position 
for  shooting.  Figure  6.  If  the  spring  does  not  hold  it  quite  perpendicular  with 
the  barrel,  take  a  rourwl  piece  of  iron  about  the  size  of  a  lead  pencil  (a  large 
nail  will  do),  and  put  one  end  into  the  loop-hole  at  the  right  and  turn  the  spring 
screw  a  trifle,  either  to  the  right  or  left,  as  may  be  required  to  hold  the  sight 
perfectly  upright.  This  can  be  done  by  anyone  without  loosening  the  set-nut 
on  the  left  side  of  the  joint,  and  when  once  done  it  remains  in  its  place.  Do  notj 
spoil  the  spring  by  pinching  it  together  in  a  vise.  It  is  hardly  ever  necessary 
to  take  it  out  of  the  base.  For  Double  Express  rifles  and  shot  guns  having  a 
rifle  barrel,  the  sight  sometimes  requires  to  be  screwed  to  the  wood  part  of  the 
stock,  when  the  tang  does  not  extend  back  far  enough.  On  some  rifles  the  sight] 
should  fold  down  forward  instead  of  backward  when  not  in  use.  The  middle/ 
i.  e.,  the  rear  open  sight,  should  always  be  removed  from  the  rifle  barrel.  A 
large  proportion  of  those  using  the  Lyman  sight  do  not  get  one-half  the  benefit  i 
from  it  that  they  should,  for  the  reason  that  they  will  not  take  off  the  middle 
sight,  which  stands  directly  in  the  way  of  a  large  part  of  the  view.  This 
stationary  sight  can  be  replaced  by  the  folding  leaf  sight,  or  the  slot  on  the 
barrel  can  be  filled  with  a  blank  piece,  when  the  middle  sight  is  taken  off,  so 
that  the  looks  of  the  rifle  will  be  improved.  Sight  the  rifle  at  a  target  by] 
adjusting  the  front  sight  sideways  and  the  rear  sight  by  its  elevation.  Thej 
graduated  scale  which  is  on  the  sight  stem  does  not  indicate  particular  distances, 
and,  therefore,  can  be  used  only  after  the  gun  has  been  tried.  The  graduatedl 
marks  are,  however,  for  about  40  or  50  yards,  depending  on  the  kind  of  rifle. 
Shoot  first  at  nearly  point  blank  range,  say  50  yards,  noting  the  graduated  marks 
on  scale;  then  shoot  at  75,  100.  150,  200,  300,  400  and  cqo  yards,  and  up  to  i,oooi 


Figure  7. 

yards ;  if  possible,  noting  each  distance  on  the  sight,  and,  if  necessary,  putting  onl 
additional  marks,  so  that  the  scale  will  be  tmderstood.  After  marking  the  sight! 
for  point  blank,  put  the  short  pin  in  the  lower  end  of  the  sight  stem,  so  that  itj 
can  never  be  turned  down  below  tlic  point  blank  range.     In  hunting  it  is  not  often! 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS  211 

necessary  to  change  the  elevation  of  the  sight,  for  the  front  sight  can  be  held  a 
trifle  high  on  the  object  when  taking  a  long  shot.  When  shooting  at  a  running 
game,  such  as  a  deer,  the  sight  can  be  elevated  by  a  turn  of  the  knurled  sleeve 
without  removing  the  eyes  from  the  game  or  the  rifle  from  the  shoulder.  This 
gives  one  a  great  advantage  when  using  a  magazine  rifle.  The  sight  should  be 
near  the  eye,  as  it  will  naturally  come  if  the  rifle  is  held  properly.  After 
adjusting  the  sights  carefully,  turn  down  the  rear  sight  and  shoot  at  some  near 
object,  using  only  the  front  sight,  as  one  would  with  a  shot-gun.  It  will  become 
apparent  at  once  how  easy  rifle-shooting  would  be  if  one  had  to  use  only  the  front 
sight ;  but,  of  course,  to  hit  the  mark,  one  must  use  a  rear  sight.  Now,  turn  up 
the  rear  sight  with  large  aperture  and  continue  shooting,  only  giving  attention 
to  the  front  sight  and  the  object,  and  it  will  be  found  that  aiming  is  as  easily 
done  as  it  was  with  the  front  sight  alone,  and  that  there  has  been  obtained  what 
is  essential  in  a  rifle — means  of  using  it  accurately  as  well  as  rapidly.  In  target 
shooting  the  top  of  the  front  should  be  held  below  the  bull's-eye,  as  seen  in 
Figure  7. 

When  adjusting  the  rear  sight  to  muzzle-loading  rifles  it  is  desirable  to  know 
the  measurements  for  the  height  of  the  sight.     This  is  easily  done  by  finding  how 


Figure  8. 
high  above  the  tang  or  stock  the  line  of  sight  is  for  point  blank  shooting,  or 
when  the  rifle  is  sighted  for  about  fifty  yards.  Figure  8  shows  what  is  necessary. 
The  L}Tnan  rear  Wind-gauge  sight,  shown  in  Figure  10,  embodies  the  same 
principle  of  aiming  as  does  the  combination  sight.  A  detachable  cup,  however, 
is  substituted  for  the  small  aperture  which  is  in  the  combination  sight.  The 
elevation  of  this  sight  is  rapid,  being  obtained  by  turning  a  knurled  sleeve,  which 
has  a  triple  thread.  At  every  one-fourth  revolution  of  the  sleeve  a  spring  snaps 
into  a  small  notch,  which  enables  the  shooter  to  quickly  adjust  the  sight.  The 
Wind-gauge  operates  from  the  left-hand  side  of  the  sight.  The  lower  graduated 
marks  show  the  Wind-gauge.  The  upper  part  of  the  sight  folds  down  forward 
when  not  in  use.  Although  the  sight  folds  forward,  it  is  not  easy  to  knock  it 
out  of  position  when  shooting,  for,  unless  it  is  pressed  forward  more  than  90 
degrees,  it  will  spring  back  to  its  place.  When  adjusting  it,  screw  it  to  the  tang 
of  the  rifle  as  directed  for  the  combination  sight.  The  point  blank  of  the  sight  is 
fixed — after  testing  the  rifle  at  a  target — by  the  adjustable  slide  on  the  sight  stem. 


212 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 


It  is  desirable  that  the  sleeve  spring  should  be  in  one  of  the  notches  when  the 
sig-ht  is  at  point  blank  to  prevent  the  sight  from  being  raised  accidentally.  This 
is  done  by  turning  the  sight  up  out  of  the  sleeve  thread  and  then  turning  it  back, 
starting  it  in  one  end  of  the  three  threads  that  brings  it  to  the  right  place  when 
diown.  It  is  not  often  desirable  to  use  the  cup,  for  the  large  aperture  of  the 
sight  is  much  the  best  even  for  target  shooting. 

Referring  to  Figure    9,    "a"  shows  the  L>anan  ivory  bead  front  sight.      This 
sight  gives  the  sportsman  a  clear  white  bead,  which  can  be  seen  distinctly  against 


^ 


Figure  9. 


Semi  Jack  Sights 


Figure  10 


any  object,  in  the  woods  or  in  the  bright  sunlight.  The  contrasting  black  neck  of 
the  sight  makes  the  bead  all  the  more  prominent,  "b"  shows  the  Lyman  ivory 
hunting  front  sight.  The  ivory  is  so  well  protected  by  the  surrounding  metal 
that  there  is  no  danger  of  its  being  injured.  It  is  a  very  accurate  sight,  and  many 
prefer  it  to  any  other  front  sight  for  all  around  use.  "c"  shows  the  Ly-man  Jack 
sight.      This  is  an  elegant  sight  for  quick  shooting,  also  in  poor  light  or  with  the 


<SBK^ 


Figure  11. 


Jack  at  night.  It  is  very  accurate,  and  fine  target  shooting  can  be  done  when 
it  is  used  with  the  tang  sights.  The  Lyman  combination  ivory  front  sight  is 
snown  in  Figure  11.  "d"  shows  it  used  with  globe,  and  "e"  shows  it  used  with 
ivory.  It  is  an  excellent  sight  for  all  around  shooting.  The  sight  is  shown  on 
the  rifle.  If  it  should  not  be  firm  enough  on  its  hinge,  tighten  the  right  hand 
screw,  which  is  indicated  by  the  arrow.  The  Lvman  Wind-gauge  target  sight  is 
shown  in  Figure  12,  "f"  showing  aperture,  and  "h"  showing  globe.      This  is  an 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 


213 


excellent  sight  for  a  Match  rifle.      It  has  a  reversible  globe  and  aperture  which 
can  be  changed  quickly.      It  is  compact  in  form,  being  close  to  the  barrel.    When 


f  .     g  h 

Figure  12. 

set  for  a  given  point  of  wind,  it  is  locked  by  a  spring  clamp  firmly  in  position, 
"g"  shows  the  Lyman  Wind-gauge  sporting  sight.  It  is  the  combination  front 
sight  on  the  Wind-gauge  base. 

The  Lyman  leaf  sight  is  shown  in  Figure  13.  One  leaf  is  a  bar,  with  a  tri- 
angular ivory  center;  the  other  is  a  wide  open  V  crotch.  Many  sportsmen  who 
use  the  L}Tnan  rear  sights  do  so  with  the  ordinary  crotch  sight  on  the  barrel.  This 
is  much  in  the  way,  and  the  shooting  is  done  at  a  great  disadvantage.  Lyman's 
leaf  sight  can  be  put  in  place  of  it.  It  folds  down  close  to  the  barrel,  allowing 
the  shooter  to   use  the  combination  sight  in   an  unobstructed  manner    and:  the 


Figure  13. 

result  is  that  the  shooting  is  twice  as  good  as  when  the  ordinary  crotch  sight  is 
on  the  barrel.  Although  the  shooter  should  in  any  case  use  the  Lyman  tang 
sights  for  nearly  all  shooting,  he  has  the  satisfaction  of  knowing  that,  if  he 
wishes  to  use  this  leaf  sight,  that  it  is  the  best  form  of  crotch  and  bar  sight  in 
use.  The  bar  leaf  is  excellent  as  a  twilight  sight  or  when  used  at  night  with  a 
jack.  The  right-hand  screw,  as  indicated  by  arrow,  adjusts  the  leaves  to  fold 
as  tightly  as  desired. 

Lyman's  rear  sight  for  Mannlicher  sporting  rifles  is  shown  in  Figure  14.  It  is 
attached  to  the  side  of  the  arm  and  is  combined  with  the  bolt  stop.  The  aperture 
is  on  an  oscillating  arm  which  allows  the  bolt  of  the  rifle  to  pass  forward  and 
backward.  This  arm  is  adjustable  for  alignment,  being  regulated  by  a  screw  on 
the  under  side.  The  sight  is  elevated  by  turning  it  around  to  the  left.  Any  gun- 
smith can  put  it  on  the  rifle  in  a  few  minutes. 

The  rear  barrel  sight  shuld  be  removed,  or  its  stationary  part  should  be  filed 
ofl^  to  allow  an  unobstructed  view  when  aiming.     The  sight  used  for  target  shoot- 


214  AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 

ing  at  the  range  and  gallery,  with  best  results,  is  shown  in  "k"  and  "1".     It  has  a 
reversible  aperture  and  globe,  which  can  be  quickly  changed.      The  Lyman  re- 


Figure  14. 

ceiver  sight  shown  in  Figure  15  is  intended  for  rifles  having  a  long  firing  bolt 
(like  the  '95  model  Winchester),  which  prevents  the  use  of  the  combination  rear 
sight.  It  is  also  good  on  short  stocked  repeaters  which  have  much  recoil.  It  is 
very  simple  and  strong  in  its  construction,  and  is  compact  and  out  of  the  way. 
It  is  made  of  a  flat  piece  of  spring  steel,  extending  along  the  left  side  of  the 
receiver,  toward  the  grip.  The  rear  part  of  this  plate  extends  up  over  the  top. 
On  the  top  of  this  extension  is  the  sight  aperture.  The  forward  elongated  hole 
in  the  side  of  the  receiver  is  for  the  pivot  screw.  At  the  rear  of  the  sight  is  a 
long  slot.  A  screw  is  passed  through  a  thumb  lever  and  a  spring  pointer  and 
through  the  slot,  screwing  into  the  second  or  rear  hole  drilled  in  the  receiver.  To 
elevate  the  sight,  turn  the  thumb  lever  up,  then  lock  it  by  turning  the  lever  down. 
It  is  not  necessary  to  lock  it,  however,  as  the  indicator  spring  holds  it  in  position. 


Figure  15. 

■■'m"  and  "n"  show  the  L}'man  ivory  bead  front  sight  for  the  '95  model  Win- 
chester .30  U.  S.  A.,  Winchester  carbines.  Lee  straight  pull  rifle  and  Roniingtoii- 
Lee  sporting  rifle. 

Figure  16  is  a  representation  of  the  appearance  of  the  Lyman  revolver  sights 
when  aiming.  The  rear  sight  is  quite  novel.  Accurate  aim  can  be  taken  in  any 
light  on  any  object.     With  these  sights  good  aim  ctm  be  taken  in  half  the  time 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS  215 

that  is  required  with  any  other  revolver  sights.  There  has  always  existed  a 
serious  difficulty  in  aiming  shot-guns,  and  this  has  increased  with  the  modern 
choke-bored  guns.  One  of  the  difficulties  of  shooting  is  that  the  gun  is  not  often 
used  twice  from  the  same  position,  the  shooter  often  having  to  take  a  sharo  right 


Figure  17. 


or  left  position,  which  makes  it  more  difficult  to  align  the  gun  the  same.  By 
using  a  small  and  short  ivory  sight,  placed  well  forward  on  the  rib,  wonderfully 
good  results  are  obtained.  Not  only  is  the  vertical  alignment  readily  got,  but,  as 
the  two  sights  are  seen  quite  distinct  and  away  from  each  other,  the  lateral  align- 
ment is  made  at  the  same  time.  This  is  a  most  important  point,  for  one  of  the 
common  mistakes  is  aiming  too  close  to  the  gun  rib,  which  results  in  under- 
shooting. This  system  is  sufficiently  accurate  for  rifle  shooting  at  short  distances. 
It  is  on  the  same  principle  as  sighting  over  the  surveyor's  stakes.  Figure  17 
shows  the  appearance  of  the  sights  when  aiming  at  a  straight-away  bird.  It  will 
be  noticed  that  the  muzzle  sight  is  the  most  prominent,  and  when  the  aim  is 
taken  should  be  seen  above  the  rear  sight  and  in  a  line  with  it.  In  this  drawing 
the  elevation  of  the  gun  is  right,  but  the  rear  sight  shows  that  the  gun  is  out  of 
line,  which  would  not  be  discovered  if  these  sights  were  not  used.      Figure  18 


Fisrure  18. 


Figure  19. 


shows  the  large  muzzle  or  front  sight.  Figure  19  shows  the  small  rear  sight, 
which  should  be  placed  in  about  the  center  of  the  barrels,  or  about  16  inches  from 
the  muzzle  sight— never  more  than  18  inches,  for  it  should  not  be  too  near  the  eye. 
It  is  the  concensus  of  opinion  that  the  Lyman  sight  is  the  best  sight  for  all 
forms  of  off-hand  shooting  to  which  a  hunting  rifle  is  ever  put,  and  that,  when  it 


216 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 


comes  to  a  shot  which  is  beyond  point  blank  range,  where  the  rifleman  has  plenty 
of  time  to  carefully  estimate  the  distance,  it  is  near  perfection.  Figure  20  shows 
some  excellent  records:  No.  i. — Seven  shots  at  50  yards,  at  a  circle  2^  inches 
in  diameter,  Winchester  .44,  Lyman  sight,  with  extra  large  aperture.  Six  of 
these  are  grouped  in  the  center  of  the  target  and  can  be  included  in  a  circle  if 
inches  in  diameter ;  the  other  shot  is  at  about  4  o'clock,  but  well  inside  the  2^  inch 


Figure  20. 
circle.  Nos.  2  and  3. — With  same  gun  and  sights;  5  shots  each  at  a  circle  if 
inches  in  diameter,  at  25  yards.  All  of  the  shots  well  grouped  near  center  of 
target  in  each  case.  No.  4. — Maynard  .40,  5  shots,  25  yards,  same  sights  as  above. 
Target,  a  white  spot  f  of  an  inch  in  diameter,  in  the  center  of  black  bull's-eye 
I  3-16  of  an  inch  in  diameter ;  four  of  these  bullets  have  cut  the  white  spot,  and  can 
all  be  covered  with  the  end  of  the  index  finger.  Nos.  5  and  6. — Winchester  .44. 
same  sights,  10  shots  each  of  2  targets,  having  a  bull's-eye  of  1^  inches  in  diameter. 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 


217 


MARLIN   ARMS. 

Marlin  rifles  have  for  years  been  celebrated  for  their  strength,  easy  work- 
ing and  simpHcity  of  action.  The  solid  top  receiver  and  superior  mechanism 
insure  absolute  safety  to  the  user.  In  all  these  arms,  the  top  of  the  action, 
which  is  the  portion  coming  between  the  cartridge  and  the  shooter's  head,  is 
not  cut  into  in  any  way,  but  is  left  as  a  solid  shield,  making  an  accident  to 
the  shooter  absolutely  impossible.  In  using  the  old-style  system,  opening  on 
top,  there  is  always  a  chance  of  accident  and  injury,  either  from  defective 
cartridges  giving  out  around  the  head,  a  "hang  fire"  (the'cartridge  not  ex- 
ploding immediately  on  the  blow  of  the  firing  pin,  but  a  fraction  of  time  later, 
when  perhaps  the  action  is  partially  opened ),  or  some  one  of  the  many  unac- 
€Ountables  for  which  guns  and  ammunition  are  proverbially  famous. 

In  this  rifle  there  can  be  no  accident  from  any  of  these  causes.  Neither  can 
there  be  a  premature  discharge.  The  action  is  so  adjusted  that  a  cartridge 
cannot  be  exploded  until  the  action  has  first  been  locked,  which  renders  the 
shooter  safe  from  such  accidents.  The  side-ejecting  principal  is  a  source  of 
great  comfort,  as  well  as  a  matter  of  safety,  for  the  empty  shells  are  never  eject- 


ed into  the  face;  they  never  cross  the  line  of  sight ;  never  interfere  with  the  aim 
i  for  the  next  shot ;  and  the  eyes  and  lungs  are  never  filled  with  smoke  and 
,  gases.    The  solid  top  also  makes  it  impossible  for  rain,  snow,  falling  leaves 
and  twigs,  pine-needles,  etc.,  to  get  into  the  action,  as  the  top  is  always  closed 
and  consequently  the  action  protected ;  there  are  no  crevices  for  rain,  etc.,  to 
i  leak  through,  and  there  is  no  hollow  top  to  catch  and  hold  the  rain.   Figure  1 
I      The  rifle  can  be  used  as  a  single  shot  with  the  greatest  facility.    It  is  only 
necessary  to  drop  the  cartridges  into  the  opening  left  by  the  breech  bolt  when 
the  action  is  open  and  then  close  the  lever.    Bullets  will  often  be  jammed  down 
into  the  shell  by  continued  jolting  in  transportation,  or  shells  may  be  reloaded 
with  hght  bullets  to  make  a  short  range  cartridge.    In  either  case  the  action 
will  accommodate  the  cartridge  perfectly  as  long  as  the  regular  shell  is  used. 
The  rifle  will  take  anything  varying  in  length  from  the  empty  shell  as  a  mini- 
mum up  to  the  full  size  cartridge  as  a  maximum.    A  very  effective  and  ex- 
tremely simple  device  is  introduced  to  permit  this.    A  projection  on  the  lower 


218  AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 

side  of  the  carrier  is  acted  against  by  the  cam  on  the  lever,  in  such  a  manner 
that,  as  the  lever  is  thrown  down  and  a  cartridge  enters  the  carrier,  the  car- 
rier is  slightly  raised  and  partially  closes  the  magazine,  and  no  matter  how 
short  the  first  cartridge  may  be,  the  head  of  the  following  one  will  strike 
against  the  front  of  the  carrier  and  cannot  enter  it  until  the  lever  is  again 
closed.  Cartridges  loaded  with  round  bullets  can  be  used.  Very  often  cart- 
ridges which  are  much  alike,  as  for  instance  38  and  44  caliber,  get  mixed. 
I  have  found  44  caliber  cartridges  among  the  38s,  having  been  so  sliip[)ed 
from  the  factor^'.  In  most  cases  a  person  using  a  rifle  and  getting  a  larger 
cartridge  into  it,  is  in  trouble  and  cannot  get  out  the  cartridge  without 
taking  the  gun  apart.  With  this  rifle,  if  such  a  cartridge  gets  into  a  smaller 
caliber  gun,  all  you  have  to  do,  when  you  find  your  lever  will  not  close,  with 
a  cartridge  in  the  chamber,  is  to  extract  and  eject  the  cartridge  by  throwing 
forward  your  lever,  exactly  as  if  it  were  an  empty  shell. 

This  is  the  only  repeating  rifle  on  which  a  telescope  can  be  conveniently  used. 
A  telescope  can  be  fitted  to  the  rifle  just  as  to  a  single  shot,  for  the  action  in 
no  way  interferes  with  its  being  placed  as  far  back  as  is  desired.  Many  people 
desire  repeaters,  but  also  wish  to  use  them  with  telescopes  for  fine  shooting. 
To  all  such  I  can  recommend  Marlin  repeaters  with  the  greatest  confidence. 

The  Marlin  repeater,  model  1892,  was  designed  especially  to  provide  a  clean 
and  convenient  repeater  for  rim  fire  ammunition  and  is  made  in  two  calibers, 
22  and  32.  Until  very  recently  all  rim  fire  cartridges  have  been  lubricated  on 
the  outside  of  the  bullets,  and  even  now,  with  but  very  few  exceptions,  they 
are  thus  lubricated.  Consequently,  when  using  these  cartridges,  a  certain 
amount  of  the  lubricant  will  work  off ;  and  further,  when  the  rifle  becomes 
heated,  especially  with  continued  firing,  the  lubricant  will  melt  to  a  degree, 
and  uniting  with  the  burnt  powder,  penetrate  every  recess  of  the  action,  hard- 
ening as  the  arm  cools.  Naturally,  after  a  time,  the  action  will  work  hard 
and  must  be  cleaned.  This  is  true  even  in  a  single  shot,  but  in  a  repeater  the 
difficulty  is  of  course  multiplied.  The  action  must  be  taken  apart— which 
heretofore  has  not  been  very  easy  in  the  case  of  repeating  rifles.  In  the  Mar- 
lin model  1892,  however,  the  thumb-screw  on  the  right  hand  side  of  the  action 
can  be  unscrewed  and  the  entire  side  of  the  receiver  removed.  The  carrier  and 
breech  bolt  can  be  taken  out;  from  the  breech  bolt  nuiy  be  taken  the  firing  \)'m 
and  extractor.  The  finger  lever  can  be  slipped  off  its  pin,  ami  in  a  few  sec- 
onds the  ejector  also  can  be  removed  from  its  slot.  The  whole  action  is  then 
entirely  apart.  Not  a  single  tool  is  used  in  doing  this.  To  take  the  rifle  apart 
and  put  it  together  again  requires  but  a  fraction  of  a  minute. 

This  feature  of  the  Marlin  rifle  is  a  very  valuable  one,  as  the  action  can  be 
thoroughly  cleaned  in  two  or  three  minutes,  and  naturally  when  it  can  be 
done  so  easily,  the  action  is  cleaned  more  frequently,  and  the  result  is  a  better 
working  gun  and  more  lasting  satisfaction.  It  is  inq^ossible  to  clean  any 
other  make  of  repeating  rifle  with  such  facility.    It  will  be  observed,  that  as 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS  219 

the  breech  bolt  can  be  removed,  this  allows  the  shooter  to  clean  the  barrel  bv 
inserting  the  wiping  rod  and  drawing  it  out  through  the  barrel.  It  is  a  very 
valuable  feature  in  a  small  bore  rifle,  to  be  able  to  clean  the  gun  from  the 
breech,  which  is  of  course  the  proper  way  to  clean  a  barrel.  It  is  next  to  im- 
possible to  clean  a  22  caliber  barrel  properly  by  pushing  the  rod  down  and 
drawing  it  back,  as  the  doubling  up  of  the  rag  prevents  using  one  of  proper 
size.  Another  valuable  feature  is,  that  owing  to  the  removable  side  plate, 
if  the  action  becomes  clogged  because  of  dirt,  defective  ammunition,  a  bullet 
i  slipping  out  of  the  cartridge,  etc.,  the  side  plate  can  be  unscrewed  and  the 
trouble  remedied  in  less  than  a  minute.  The  magazine  of  this  rifle  can  be 
readily  removed,  allowing  the  shooter  to  clean  out  the  inside  of  the  magazine, 
-which  may  become  dirty,  owing  to  the  lubricant. 

TO  TAKE  OFF  A  MAGAZINE, 

Draw  the  outside  tube  out  to  the  position  in  which  the  magazine  is  filled; 

then  take  out  the  magazine  tube  stud  screw ;  then  remove  the  forearm  tip 

!  screws  and  the  entire  magazine  and  forearm  can  be  removed.    When  the 

1  magazine  is  out  in  this  form,  the  inside  tube  (which  is  of  course  the  only  part 

.  coming  in  contact  with  the  cartridges)  can  be  thoroughly  cleaned  with  a  cloth 

I  and  wiping  rod,  and  the  outside,  which  is  the  part  bearing  against  the  inside 

j  surface  of  the  outside  tube,  can  also  be  cleaned.    In  order  to  put  in  the 

j  magazine  tube,  merely  reverse  the  operations.    That  is,  slip  in  the  tube,  slid- 

I  ing  over  it  the  forearm  and  forearm  tip,  push  the  tube  down  so  the  magazine 

tube  stud  will  come  in  its  right  position,  and  then  screw  in  the  magazine  tube 

stud  screw.    This  rifle  is  operated  by  a  finger  lever,  and  any  one  using  this 

system  for  home  practice,  will  find  it  a  great  help  when  he  goes  into  the  woods 

with  his  larger  caliber  and  finds  himself  in  the  presence  of  game  or  danger. 

The  throw  of  the  lever  is  very  short  and  the  manipulation  exceedingly  easy. 

The  method  of  loading  this  rifle  is  a  very  important  feature.  These  cart- 
ridges are  small,  and  further,  owing  to  the  outside  lubricant,  the  fingers 
would  soon  become  too  slippery  to  load  them  properly  through  a  loading 
spring  cover.  This  rifle  has  two  tubes,  of  which  the  outer  one  is  a  cover,  the 
!  inner  one  the  magazine.  Thex^uter  tube  is  held  in  position  firmly,  both  when 
open  and  closed. 

TO  FILL  THE  MAGAZINE. 

I  Take  hold  of  the  end  of  the  magazine  tube  and  draw  the  outer  tube  straight 
out  until  the  loading  hole  is  open.  Drop  in  the  cartridges ;  close  down  the 
tube.  The  especially  valuable  feature  here  is  that  the  cartridges  in  the  rifle 
are  loaded  directly  into  the  inside  tube,  the  outside  tube  being  merely  a  cover, 
so  that  there  can  be  no  jamming,  no  pushing  and  no  cutting  of  the  cartridges 
in  loading  this  rifle.  Every  cartridge  is  dropped  in  clearly  and  neatly.  This 
is  the  most  rapid  and  cleanest  loading  device  as  yet  introduced. 
This  rifle  has  been  made  until  lately  as  the  model  1891,  but  several  import- 

. ,   ant  changes  have  been  effected  in  the  action,  and  in  consequence  it  is  now 

\\ 


220  AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 

called  model  1892.  In  the  model  1891  the  trigger  and  sear  were  in  two 
part8— the  safety  was  effected  by  making  it  impossible  to  pull  the  trigger  off, 
until  the  lever  had  pushed  up  the  safety  catch  which  projected  from  the  lower 
tang,  and  in  this  way  brought  the  sear  into  connection  with  the  trigger  as  a 
single  part.  In  the  model  1892  the  trigger  and  sear  are  made  one,  doing 
away  with  all  play  there.  The  model  1892  rifle  is  absolutely  safe,  because  it 
cannot  be  fired  until  the  bolt  is  fully  locked.  Otherwise  the  lever  is  in  the  way 
of  the  firing  i)in,  so  that  it  cannot  go  forward  even  flush  with  the  surface  of  the 
breech  bolt,  nnich  less  far  enough  to  squeeze  the  rim  of  the  cartridge.  Figure 
2,  shows  the  action  closed.  To  clean  the  action  unscrew  the  thumb  screw 
on  the  right  hand  side  of  the  receiver,  and  lift  off  the  side  plate.  The  car- 
rier, breech  bolt  and  lever  also,  if  desired,  can  then  be  taken  out.  The  firing 
pin  and  extractor  may  be  removed  from  the  breech  bolt,  all  without  tools. 


Referring  to  Figure  2,  the  parts  are  as  follows  :-A,  the  carrier;  B,  the  hammer; 
C,  the  breech  bolt;  D,  the  finger  lever;  E,  the  carrier  rocker;  H,  the  ejector;  /, 
the  lever  spring. 

It  will  be  observed  that  the  carrier  bears  with  its  lowest  point  upon  the 
lever,  so  that  as  the  lever  is  thrown  down  and  a  cartridge  enters  the  carrier, 
the  carrier  is  slightly  raised  and  partially  closes  the  magazine,  cutting  off  the 
following  cartridge  from  entering  the  action.  When  the  action  is  closed,  the 
projection  on  the  breech  bolt  holds  back  the  first  cartridge  allowing  it  to 
enter  the  carrier  but  a  short  distance.  Consequently  when  the  action  is  open- 
ed by  throwing  down  the  lever,  the  first  cartridge  slips  out,  but  the  second 
cartridge  is  held  back  by  the  carrier.  When  the  lever  is  drawn  back,  raising 
the  carrier  by  means  of  the  carrier  rocker,  and  the  carrier  lifts  the  cartridge  to 
the  chamber,  the  projecting  lip  on  the  lower  front  end  of  the  carrier  retains 
the  cartridge  in  the  magazine.  When  the  lever  is  drawn  fully  up,  there  is  then 
a  cartridge  in  the  chamber,  and  one  projecting  from  the  magazine  a  slight 
distance  into  the  action.    Any  adjustment  in  action  can  be  readily  made  by 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS  221 

drawing  down  the  metal  at  the  lower  part  of  the  carrier  where  it  is  "  V  " 
shaped.* 

The  22  caliber  repeater  uses  in  one  rifle  three  distinct  cartridges, — the  shorty 
long,  and  long  rifle.  With  the  choice  between  black  and  smokeless  powder 
loads,   and  also  the  solid  and  mushroom  bullets,  a  very  complete  line  of  cart- 


ridges  is  offered,  all  of  which  may  be  used  in  one  rifle.  This  rifle  takes  only 
rim  fire  cartridges.  Figure  3,  shows  a  target  with  the  22  long  rifle  cartridge 
in  a  plain  Marlin  rifle,  model  1892,  22  caliber,  10  shots  at  100  yards. 

The  32  caliber  rifle  is  so  constructed  that  the  same  rifle  uses  all  of  the  follow- 
ing cartridges :  32  short  rim  fire,  32  long  rim  fire,  both  inside  and  outside 
lubricated ;  the  32  short  center  fire,  and  the  32  long  center  fire,  both  inside  and 
outside  lubricated.  Blank  and  shot  cartridges  of  these  sizes  can  also  be  used. 
Shot  cartridges  should  be  used  very  sparingly  in  a  rifled  barrel  and  the  barrel 
must  be  frequently  and  carefully  cleaned,  otherwise  there  will  be  diflRculty  ow- 
ing to  leading.  The  rifle  as  sent  out  from  the  factory  is  adapted  to  rim  fire 
ammunition,  but  a  center  fire  firing  pin  is  furnished  with  every  rifle.  The  firing 
pins  can  be  interchanged  by  any  one  without  using  a  single  tool.  To  change 
the  firing  pin  it  is  merely  necessary  to  unscrew  the  side  plate  screw  and  remove 
the  side  plate.  The  breech  bolt  can  then  be  taken  out,  when  the  firing  pin  may 
be  slipped  out  and  the  new  firing  pin  inserted  in  its  place.  The  breech  bolt  is 
then  put  back  in  the  rifle  and  the  side  plate  replaced,  when  the  rifle  is  ready  to 
use  the  center  fire  ammunition.  This  can  be  done  in  less  than  a  minute.  Of 
course,  when  the  rifle  is  adjusted  to  rim  fire  ammunition,  it  will  use  either  the 
short  or  long  cartridges,  without  change  in  adjustment;  and  likewise  wlien 
adapted  to  center  fire  ammunition,  either  the  short  or  long  cartridges  may  be 
used  without  any  change  in  adjustment.  This  rifle  was  made  in  response  to 
the  demand  for  a  repeater  of  larger  caliber  than  the  22,  to  use  ammunition 
that  was  cheap,  effective  and  generally  used,  so  that  the  shooter  could  have  a 
rifle  taking  cheap  ammunition,  which  hecould  at  the  same  time  readily  obtain. 
All  the  above  requirements  have  been  met.  As  compared  with  repeaters  using 
the  32-20  or  32  W.  C.  F.  cartridges,  the  entire  cost  of  the  rifle  will  be  saved  on 
*.22  caliber  repeaters  are  now  fitted  with  a  positive  cut  oif  at  the  mouth  of  the  magazine. 


222  AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 

the  first  two  thousand  cartridges.  The  ammunition  is  what  costs  in  the  long 
run.  For  ordinary-  purposes  get  the  best  rifle  made  to  shoot  cheap  cartridges. 
If  you  do  not  care  to  shoot  at  longer  ranges  than  100  yards  and  wish  to  use  a 
rifle  on  small  game,  this  32  caliber  will  be  found  thoroughly  satisfactory.  This 
is  the  only  repeater  using  rim  fire  cartridges  larger  than  22  caliber.  This  rifle 
is  fitted  with  Kocky  Mountain  rear  and  front  sights ;  otherwise  it  is  exactly 
the  same  in  style  and  finish  as  the  22  caliber  repeater  of  this  model. 

The  Marlin  repeater,  model  1897  is  a  take  down  repeater  in  22  caliber, 
adapted  to  use  in  one  rifle  without  any  change  in  adjustment,  the  22  short, 
22  long  and  22  long  rifle  cartridges,  including,  of  course,  the  smokeless  cart- 
ridges in  these  sizes,  as  well  as  the  special  cartridges  with  nnishroom  bullet, 
blank  and  shot  cartridges.  This  is  just  the  gun  to  take  on  a  summer  vaca- 
tion, or  to  the  woods ;  it  will  come  in  handy  for  birds,  snap  shooting,  killing 
time  on  rainy  days,  etc. ;  it  takes  no  room ;  it  weighs  next  to  nothing  and  can 
be  put  together  and  taken  apart  in  less  time  than  it  takes  to  describe  it.  Just 
the  thing  to  take  on  a  bicycle  trip  through  the  woods  and  country.  With  the 
short  barrel  it  can  be  carried  handily  in  a  diamond  frame.  As  will  be  observed, 
it  is  the  model  1892  in  take-down  form. 

ACTION. 

The  action  is  simply  that  of  the  model  1892  with,  of  course,  the  addition 
of  the  take  down  principle  and  consequent  improvements.  The  receiver  is 
made  of  special  steel  used  in  high  power  smokeless  rifles,  which  insures  a  solid 
rifle,  and  is  finely  case  hardened,  adding  greatly  to  the  appearance  and  dura- 
bility of  the  same.  This  rifle  has  the  inside  of  the  receiver  and  all  the 
inner  parts  finely  finished,  not  only  giving  a  pleasing  effect  when  the  rifle  is 
apart,  but  further  improving  the  action  and  rendering  it  especially  easy  to 
work.      The  working  j)arts,  viz.:— the  carrier,  breech  bolt,  etc.,  are  made  of 


FIGURE      4. 

tool  steel  carefully  hardened,  which  insures  freedom  from  wear  and  in  conse- 
quence a  permanent  adjustment.  Figure  4,  shows  the  left  hand  side  of  re- 
ceiver with  breech  bolt,  barrel  and  magazine  attached.  It  will  be  observed 
that  the  breech  bolt  is  secure,  so  there  is  no  danger  of  its  droj)ping  out  and 
being  lost,  as  there  is  a  groove  on  the  under  side  of  the  breech  bolt  in  which 
a  projecting  lip  on  the  su])port  at  the  rear  end  of  the  receiver  fits.  Conse- 
quenth',  to  remove  the  bolt  it  must  be  puslied  back  to  the  limit  of  its  path, 
when  it  is  free.     Except  in  this   jxjsiliou  the  bolt  cannot  be  removed.      All 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS  223 

parts  are  securely  fastened  in  the  rifle,  making  it  impossible  to  lose  any  when 
the  rifle  is  apart,  while  at  the  same  time  they  can  be  easily  removed,  if  desired, 
although  the  rifle  can  be  thoroughly  and  conveniently  cleaned  without  taking 
out  a  single  part  of  the  action.  When  the  breech  bolt  is  removed  the  maga- 
zine may  be  readily  cleaned,  as  the  wiping  rod  and  cloth  can  be  pushed  right 
up  into  the  inside  tube.  In  this  way  the  grease  and  dirt  from  the  lubricant  is 
removed,  and  the  spring  and  the  follower  will  naturally  work  more  easily. 
Fio-ure  5,  shows  the  right  hand  side  of  the  receiver  with  action  and  butt  stock 
attached.  The  rifle  can  be  taken  apart  with  the  bolt  closed  by  cocking  the 
hammer,  unscrewing  the  thumb  screw  on  the  r 


FIGURE       5. 

the  butt  stock  portion  to  the  right,  barrel  portion  to  the  left.    To  remove  the 
breech  bolt  slide  it  back  as  far  as  it  will  go  when  it  can  be  lifted  out. 

TO  PUT  THE  RIFLE  TOGETHER. 

Cock  the  hammer;  then  place  the  right  side  of  the  receiver  on  the  left  side 
so  that  the  lip  A  fits  in  a,  a  recess  provided  to  receive  it.  Then  as  the  right 
side  of  the  receiver  is  pressed  on  the  left  side,  the  beveled  shoulders  B  and  C  fit 
in  the  corresponding  curves  b  and  c,  figure  4 :  screw  in  the  thumb  screw. 

The  Marlin  repeater,  model  1894  is  the  successor  to  the  well-known  model 
1889  and  is  the  latest  and  most  improved  repeating  rifle  for  the  popular  25-20 
Marlin,  32-20,  38-40  and  44-40  cartridges.  In  the  model  1894  rifle,  every 
desirable  feature  of  the  model  1889,  which  tended  to  make  that  arm  the 
sportsman's  favorite  wherever  it  was  introduced,  has  been  retained  and  the 
improvements  suggested  by  five'more  years  of  experience  and  experiment  have 
been  added. 

The  model  1889,  with  its  solid  top  and  side  ejection,  was  a  distinct  advance 
in  the  manufacture  of  repeating  arms.  This  was  the  first  of  the  repeaters 
with  the  solid  top  and  side  ejection.  In  constructing  the  model  1893  to  use 
the  32-40  and  38-55  cartridges,  improvements  were  devised  simplifying  the 
action  and  rendering  it  much  safer,  in  that  with  these  changes  it  is  impossible 
to  shoot  a  cartridge  unless  all  the  parts  are  in  place  and  the  action  completely 


224  AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 

locked.  No  person  can  by  any  accident,  leave  out  one  or  more  of  tlie  parts  of 
his  rifle  and  then  discharge  a  cartridge  with  the  action  in  an  incomplete  state. 
These  improvements  incorporated  into  the  model  1889  produced  the  model 
1894. 

ACTION. 

The  entire  breech  mechanism  consists  of  but  three  pieces,  viz., — the  breech 
bolt,  locking  bolt  and  finger  lever.  The  breech  bolt  is  a  straight  bolt  which 
slides  horizontally  backward  and  forward,  the  sides  and  to{)  of  receiver  form- 
ing a  path  for  the  same,  insuring  correct  motion.  The  breech  bolt  is  further 
lateralh^  guided  by  a  rib  on  the  top  which  fits  in  a  corresponding  groove  in 
the  top  of  the  receiver.  As  the  barrel  is  chambered  to  admit  the  head  of  the 
cartridge  and  also  the  front  end  of  the  breech  bolt,  the  bolt  coming  up  solidly 
not  only  covers  the  cartridge  completely  but  is  itself  supi)orted  by  the  barrel. 
The  locking  bolt  sliding  in  vertical  grooves  cut  in  the  sides  of  the  receiver,  as 
will  be  seen  in  Figure  6,  fits  squarely  up  into  the  breech  bolt.  A  section  of  the 
receiver  is  directly  behind  the  locking  bolt,  supporting  it  solidly,  It  will  be 
observed  that  not  only  is  the  breech  bolt  of  this  rifle  securely  locked,  but  that 
further  its  position  is  correct  and  exact.  As  the  finger  lever  operates  both  the 
breech  bolt  and  locking  bolt  directly,  all  connecting  links  and  other  weak 
pieces  liable  to  be  broken  are  thus  avoided  and  there  is  no  lost  motion  and 
waste  of  power.  I'he  throwing  of  the  lever  is  short  and  easy.  The  carrier  in 
this  arm  is  to  be  noted  for  its  simplicity  and  positive  action.  As  may  be  seen 
from  the  illustrations  there  is  a  projection  on  the  lower  side  of  the  carrier, 
which  is  acted  against  by  the  cam  on  the  lever,  in  such  a  manner  that  as  the 
lever  is  thrown  down  and  a  cartridge  enters  the  carrier,  the  carrier  is  slightly 
raised  and  partially  closes  the  entrance  from  the  magazine.  No  matter  how 
short  the  first  cartridge  may  be,  the  head  of  the  following  one  will  strike 
against  the  front  of  the  carrier  and  cannot  enter  the  action  until  the  levei-  is 
again  closed.  In  consequence  cartridges  with  round  bullets  can  be  used  and 
the  action  wull  pass  cartridges  varying  in  length  from  the  empty  shell  as  a 
minimum  up  to  the  full  size  cartridge  as  a  maximum.  Cartridges  are  often 
found  in  Avliich  by  some  accident  the  bullets  have  been  seated  too  far  in  the 
shell  or  have  been  driven  down  to  this  position  during  transportation.  Such 
ammunition  causes  no  difficulty  in  a  Marlin  re[)eater.  The  carrier  is  raised 
and  lowered  by  the  action  of  the  finger  lever  against  an  automatic  rocker 
j)i voted  near  its  rear  end. 

SAFETY. 

The  safety  on  this  rifle  is  very  8imj)le  in  its  action  and  construction.  The 
firing  pin,  a  cylindrical  piece  of  steel,  is  cut  completely  in  two.  When  the 
action  is  closed  and  locked,  these  two  pieces  are  brought  up  by  the  locking 
bolt  into  a  direct  line  and  ])ractically  form  one  solid  piece.  But  the  slightest 
motion  of  the  finger  lever  draws  back  the  firing  pin,  the  locking  bolt  is  lower- 
ed and  the  front  end  of  the  rear  piece  drops  down  into  the  slot  in  the  breech 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS  225 

bolt,  Avhere  the  locking  bolt  operates.  With  the  firing  pin  in  this  position,  it 
is  held  back  positively  and  it  is  impossible  to  drive  it  forward  until  the  breech 
bolt  is  closed  and  firmly  locked  by  the  locking  bolt,  when  the  firing  pin  is 
again  connected  by  the  locking  bolt.  This  can  hapi)en  only  when  the  whole 
action  is  fully  locked.  If  in  taking  apart  and  assembling  the  rifle  the  locking 
bolt  should  be  accidentally  left  out,  the  rifle  cannot  be  fired,  thus  effectually 
preventing  any  accidents  of  this  character  arising  from  carelessness  or 
ignorance.  The  lever  is  held  in  position  by  an  automatic  lever  catch  placed 
near  the  front  end  of  the  lever,  thus  avoiding  a  projecting  safety  catch.  The 
locking  bolt  does  not  project,  being  entirely  within  the  receiver,  whether  the 
action  is  open  or  closed.  The  rifle  is  not  only  improved  in  appearance,  owing 
to  the  fact  of  its  being  smooth  and  free  from  projections;  but,  there  are  no 
links  or  bolts  to  interfere  with  the  hand  or  catch  the  clothes,  and  no  parts  of 
the  action  are  exposed  to  catch  twigs,  dirt,  etc. 
The  trigger  is  in  one  piece,  instead  of  being  divided  into  a  trigger  and  sear 


A.  Lever;    B.  Ejector;     C.  Trigger;    D.  Carrier;    E.  Locking  bolt;     F.  Ham- 
mer;   I.  Breech  bolt;    H.  Can-ier rocker ;    K.     Extractor. 

FIGURE     '6. 

as  in  the  model  1889  rifle.  This  improvement  does  away  with  all  i)lay  about 
the  trigger  and  simplifies  the  action,  by  reducing  the  number  of  parts.  The 
ease  with  which  this  arm  can  be  dismounted  and  assembled  is  an  important 
consideration.  Any  person  of  ordinary  intelligence  can  do  this  without 
previous  experience.  To  take  the  action  apart,  but  one  screw-driver  is  neces- 
sary inasmuch  as  the  essental  screws  are  made  with  practically  the  same  head 
and  slot.  Figure  6  shows  a  section  of  the  rifle  with  action  open.  The  models 
1893  and  1895  rifles  have  exactly  the  same  action  as  the  model  1894,  the  only 
points  of  difference  being  in  the  size  of  the  receiver,  breech  bolt,  carrier  and 
similar  parts,  which  changes  are  of  course  necessitated  by  the  differences  in 
the  dimensions  of  the  cartridges. 

TO  DISMOUNT  THE  ARM. 

Take  out  the  tang  screw  and  remove  the  butt  stock.  Swing  the  main  spring 
to  one  side,  thus  removing  all  pressure  from  the  hammer  screw ;  take  out  the 


226  AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 

hammer  screw  and  remove  the  hammer.  Remove  the  lever  screvr  and  lever, 
the  breech  bolt  can  then  be  drawn  out.  Take  out  the  trigger  plate  screw  at 
the  front  of  the  trigger  plate,  when  the  trigger  plate  and  locking  bolt  may  be 
removed.  As  all  of  these  screws  have  practically  the  same  size  head,  it  will  be 
observed  that  a  single  screw-driver  is  the  only  tool  necessary  to  dismount  the 
rifle  conveniently.  If  desired,  the  carrier  and  likewise  the  loading  s])ring  cover 
may  be  removed,  as  the  screws  holding  these  are  on  the  right  side  of  the  ac- 
tion. 

TO  TAKE  Al'AKT  THE  BREECH  BOLT. 

Drive  out  the  extractor  pin ;  the  extractor  can  then  be  removed.  Drive  out 
the  pin  holding  the  rear  part  of  the  firing  pin,  which  can  then  be  removed ; 
also  drive  out  the  front  firing  pin  pin  ;  this  ])art  of  the  firing  pin,  and  the  fir- 
ing ])in  spring  can  then  be  removed.  In  driving  out  these  pins,  drive  from  the 
bottom  of  the  breech  bolt.     In  driving  in,  drive  from  the  top. 

TO  ASSEMBLE  THE  AKM. 

If  the  loading  spring  cover  and  carrier  block  are  out,  })ut  these  in  first.  Slide 
in  the  locking  bolt,  put  on  the  trigger  plate  and  screw  in  the  trigger  plate 
screw.  Replace  the  hammer  and  screw  in  the  hammer  screw.  Slide  in  the 
breech  bolt  about  two-thirds  of  the  way  and  put  in  the  lever,  being  careful  to 
see  that  it  fits  uj)  into  the  breech  bolt.  Screw  in  the  lever  screw.  Swing  the 
main  sj)ring  into  position  and  replace  the  butt  stock. 

TO  KEMOVE  THE  MAGAZINE. 

It  is  necessary  merely  to  takeout  the  magazine  tube  stud  screw  and  the  two 
forearm  tip  screws.  The  entire  magazine,  forearm  tip  and  forearm  can  then 
be  removed. 

The  Marlin  repeater,  model  1893  is  exactly  the  same  in  principle  as  the 
model  1894,  being  merel}'  the  same  action  adapted  to  the  larger  cartridges. 
The  model  1893  was  devised  from  the  model  1889.  Several  important  im- 
provements were  introduced  which  were  found  to  be  so  thoroughly  advan- 
tageous, that  they  were  in  turn  incorporated  into  the  model  1889,  which  in 
consequence  became  the  model  1894.  The  description  of  the  action  of  the 
model  1894  api)lies  equally  well  to  the  model  1893,  as  the  two  actions  are 
identical  except  in  size  of  parts.  This  model  was  originally  made  to  take  the 
well  known  and  ])0])ular  cartridges,  32-40-16.")  and  38-55-255.  These  cart- 
ridges as  regards  accuracy  occupy  a  commanding  position.  They  are  probably 
the  best  all-round  cartridges  for  hunting  and  target  purposes.  The  Makei.n 
Fire  Arms  Company  originated  these  two  cartridges  and  their  experience  in 
making  fine  Ballard  target  rifles  for  these  cartridges  justifies  us  in  claiming 
that  tiiis  r€^peater  is  unsurpassed  in  accuracy  by  any  repeating  arm  made. 
Tlie  })arrels  are  exactly  the  same  as  tluxse  used  by  them  in  the  finest  Ballard 
target  rifles.  This  rifle  is  also  adajjted  to  take  the  25-36  smokeless  and  the 
3()-.'5<)  smokeless  cartridges  which  have  been  recently  brought  out  and  are  ex- 
tremely j)oj)ular,  as  well  as  valuable  cartridges  for  hunting  purposes.    This 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS  227 

rifle,  like  those  of  all  the  other  models,  can  be  used  as  a  single  breech-loader 
with  the  greatest  facility.  In  so  using  it,  the  cartridge  is  dropi)ed  into  the 
receiver,  ahead  of  the  breech  bolt  when  the  action  is  oi)en,  and  then  when  the 
breech  bolt  is  closed,  the  gun  is  loaded  and  ready  for  flring.  It  can  be  so  used 
with  great  rapidity.  In  case  it  is  desired  to  hold  the  magazine  in  reserve, 
while  constantly  shooting,  it  is  merely  necessary  to  load  cartridges  into  the 
magazine  through  the  side  loading  spring  cover,  as  fast  as  one  is  chambered. 

Since  the  action  is  the  same  for  all  four  of  these  cartridges,  (the  barrel  alone 
being  different,)  a  take  down  rifle  can  be  obtained,  and  with  extra  barrel 
parts,  there  will  be  five  rifles  using  cartridges  varying  from  25  to  38  caliber 
In  the  case  of  a  rigid  repeater  any  one  of  these  barrels  can  be  fitted  if  a  change 
is  desired. 

The  action  of  this  model  will  take  all  cartridges  varying  in  length  from 
the  empty  shell  as  a  minimum  up  to  the  standard  cartridge  as  a  maximum. 
Consequently  cartridges  with  shorter  bullets,  w-hether  so  loaded  to  reduce  the 
charge  for  short  range  work,  or  cartridges  in  which  the  bullets  have  settled 
down  through  various  causes,  will  work  through  the  action  perfectly,  and 
likewise  shells  loaded  with  round  balls  inserted  below  the  muzzle  of  the  shell 
can  be  used.  Using  the  rifle  as  a  single  shot,  cartridges  larger  than  standard 
size  may  be  used. 

The  rifle  using  the  25-36  cartridge  permits  a  very  extensive  choice  in  loads, 
giving  an  arm  which  will  take  a  cartridge  varying  from  the  light  squirrel 
load,  up  to  the  cartridge  with  its  charge  of  high  pressure  smokeless  powder 
and  117  grain  bullet.     The  factory  cartridge  for  this  rifle  is  the  25-36-117 


Marlin,  loaded  with  24  grains  of  Du  Pout's  30  caliber  smokeless  powder  and  a 
metal  patched  bullet  with  a  soft  lead  point,  117  grains  in  weight.  The  veloc- 
ity of  the  bullet  is  2000  feet  per  second.  The  penetration  as  measured  in  dry 
pine  board  one  inch  in  thickness,  placed  20  feet  from  the  muzzle  of  the  rifle,  is 
eleven  arid  one-half  boards.  Penetration  is  not  sought,  because  the  bullet  is 
made  with  a  soft  lead  point  to  mushroom. 

This  is  an  exceedingly  accurate  cartridge  and  does  fine  work  at  a  consider- 
able range.    It  is  an  especially  valuable  cartridge  in  hunting,  owing  to  the 


228  AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 

fact  that  with  its  high  velocity  and  flat  trajectory  the  necessity  of  making 
great  calculations  at  the  longer  ranges  is  removed.  For  instance,  with  its 
high  velocity  it  traverses  600  yards  in  a  second,  and  it  can  be  readily  observed 
that  it  is  not  necessary  to  hold  far  ahead  of  running  game,  in  order  to  bring  it 
down,  even  if  the  game  is  at  a  considerable  distance.  Naturally  the  flat  tra- 
jectory is  of  great  assistance  in  case  there  should  be  an  error  in  estimating 
distance ;  for  an  error  of  100  yards  is  not  likely  to  prove  very  disastrous  with 
this  cartridge,  while  a  much  greater  error  can  be  made  without  missing  the 
game.  For  game  up  to  and  including  deer,  this  rifle  is  perfection.  It  is  an 
extremely  fine  rifle  for  shooting  geese,  wild  duck,  etc.,  at  long  ranges.  Figure 
7,  shows  a  target  of  10  shots  at  200  yards  with  a  Marlin,  model  1893,  using 
the  25-36-117  smokeless  U.  M.  C.  cartridge.  Target  two-thirds  of  actual  size. 
The  Marlin  repeater,  model  1895  is  identical  in  system  with  the  models  1893 
and  1894,  being  merely  the  same  rifle  adapted  to  the  larger  cartridges.  Con- 
sequently there  is  no  need  of  explanation  as  to  system,  strength  and  simpli- 
city. The  writer  has  no  hesitation  in  claiming  that  this  is  the  strongest  and 
safest  rifle  on  the  market  for  these  large  caliber  cartridges,  and  shoots  safely 
and  accurately,  not  only  the  standard  black  powder  cartridges,  but  also 
the  various  smokeless  powder  cartridges  made  in  these  calibers.  The  rifles 
are  made  to  the  same  sizes  and  guages  as  the  old  Ballard  and  model  1881 
barrels.    The  rifling  is  deep  and  clean,  which  not  only  adds  to  the  life  of  a  bar- 

^ -a 


FIGURE      8. 

rel  but  also  renders  it  much  more  valuable  for  hunting  purposes.  This  model 
can  be  furnished  in  all  the  various  styles,  that  is,  with  all  lengths  of  barrel 
up  to  32  inches;  short,  half  or  full  magazine;  straight  and  pistol  grip ;  regular 
and  take  down.  It  is  of  su])erior  flnish  and  perfect  balance.  The  barrels  are 
all  gracefully  tapered,  being  large  at  the  breech,  thus  giving  extra  strength 
where  it  is  needed.  The  standard  rifle  with  26  inch  barrel  and  full  magazine, 
weighs  but  8%  pounds,  an  exceedingly  light  rifle  for  these  cartridges.  This 
model  can  be  procured  in  take  down  form,  Figure  8,  in  all  of  the  usual  styles, 
viz :  round,  octagon,  or  half  octagon  barrel ;  any  length  up  to  32  inches ;  full, 
half,  or  short  magazine;  straight  or  pistol  grip. 

All  the  calibers  of  this  model,  viz:  the  .38-56,  .40-65,  .40-70,  .40-82,  .45-70 
and  .45-90  have  exactly  the  same  action;  thus,  we  can  have,  by  })rocuring 
extra  barrel  parts,  as  many  as  six  take  down  rifles  on  one  action.     All  of 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 


229 


these  cartridges  can  be  procured  loaded  with  shot,  so  with  a  smooth  bore 
barrel  part,  which  will  interchange  on  the  rifle,  we  can  do  very  good  shoot- 
ing at  close  range,  and  sometimes  save  carrying  a  shot  gun  as  extra  baggage. 


FIGURE       lO. 


This  takedown  repeater  is  furnished  in  models  1893  and  1894  also.  Figure  9, 
shows  the  forward  end  of  the  receiver  when  the  rifle  is  apart.  Figure  10, 
shows  the  breech  end  of  the  barrel  and  magazine  when  the  rifle  is  apart. 

The  union  of  the  barrel  portion  to  the  frame  in  a  Marlin  take  down  contains 
exactly  the  same  amount  of  metal,  with  exactly  the  same  distribution,  as  in 
a  rigid  repeater.    Consequently  it  must   be  just   as   strong.     A  simple  and 


%f'i 


practical  adjustment  for  wear  prevents  the  joint  from  becoming  loose  or  shaky 
even  with  the  roughest  usage.  The  cam  lever  is  arranged  to  take  up  any 
wear  and  make  a  close  union  between  fh( 


barrel  and  frame.    When  the  barrel 


230  AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 

is  screwed  into  tlie  frame  the  cam  lever  is  then  pushed  in  to  make  the  connec- 
tion tio:ht.  When  tlie  cam  is  pushed  in  tightly,  a  certain  space  is  left  to  be 
taken  up  gradually  if  there  should  be  any  wear.  Some  sportsmen  like  the  pro- 
jecting end  of  the  cam  cut  off  so  as  to  make  the  rifle  flush  at  this  point.  In 
this  case  the  cam  is  set  down  with  the  screw  so  as  to  be  snug  and  remain  just 
at  the  point  up  to  where  the  cam  has  to  be  pushed  to  make  the  union  solid. 
This  obviates  the  necessity  of  touching  the  cam  when  taking  the  gun  apart, 
as  the  barrel  can  be  unscrewed  and  screwed  up  with  the  cam  adjusted  in  this 

way. 

All  Marlin  rifles  are  finely  sighted.  Figure  11,  shows  the  Marlin  improved 
graduated  peep  sight.  Figure  12,  shows  the  Marlin  improved  vernier  mid- 
range  peep  sight.  Lyman  peep  sights  for  Marlin  rifles  have  the  following  dis- 
tinguishing marks  on  the  under  side  of  the  base.  B.  Ballard,  models  1891 
and  1892,  32  caliber:  E.  models  1888,  1889  and  1894;  H.  models  1891,  1892 
and  189?',  22  caliber;  J.  models  1893  and  1895;  M.  model  1881. 

The  Marlin  Combination  Receiver  Sight,  shown  in  Figure  13,  gives  the 
greatest  possible   distance  between    the   front   and  rear   sights  without  in 


Figure  13. 

any  way  interfering  with  the  grip  of  the  right  hand.  It  allows  free  and 
unobstructed  manipulation  of  the  hammer.  With  it  there  is  no  danger 
of  injuring  the  shooters  eye  by  recoil  or  hasty  throwing  of  the  rifle  to 
the  siioulder.  It  has  a  folding  leaf  and  may  be  used  a  peep  or  open  sight. 
This  sight  is  intended  for  use  on  side-ejecting  Marlin  rilies  having  flat  top 
receivers. 

The  Marlin  take  down  repeating  shot  gun  is  the  result  of  an  effort  to  pro- 
duce a  medium  lightweight  shot  gun  that  should  combine  the  elegance  of  out- 
line, perfection  of  balance,  ease  of  taking  apart,  and  quality  of  finish  of  the 
best  double  guns  with  the  superiority  in  sighting  and  shooting  of  the  single 
barrel,  and  also  i)ossessing  the  rapidity  of  fire  and  magazine  capacity  of 
American  repeating  rifles.  The  standard  gun  is  tAvelve-guage,  chambered  for 
2%  inch  shell,  and  the  action  handles  any  twelve-guage  shell  not  exceeiling  '2% 
inches  in  length.  The  barrel,  30  inches  long,  bored  for  smokeless  powder,  is 
full-choked.  The  material  of  the  barrel  is  a  very  high  grade  steel,  and  all  barrels 
arei)rove(l  in  the  rough  by  firing  excessive  charges  in  them.    They  are  then,  each 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS  231 

and  every  one,  tested  at  the  target  by  firing  from  3  to  5  shots  and  counting 
the  pellets. 

The  full-choked  barrels  are  required  to  target  better  than  325  pellets  in  a 
30-inch  circle  at  40  yards,  using  1%  oz.  number  8  shot.  After  the  barrels 
have  passed  tliese  tests  they  are  finished  on  the  outside  and  go  to  the  assem- 
bling room.  When  the  guns  are  assembled  complete  and  have  passed  through 
a  thorough  shop  inspection  they  go  again  to  the  proof  house  and  the  finished 
gun  is  proved  with  special  heavy  loads.  Each  gun  is  then  fired  from  6  to  10 
times  with  standard  factory  loaded  shells,  assorted,  and  if  no  fault  can  then 
be  detected  by  the  final  inspection,  they  are  ready  for  shipment.  The  stand- 
ard weight  is  about  7  pounds,  for  so  simple  and  compact  is  the  action  that 
they  can  use  a  heavy  barrel  and  still  get  this  moderately  light  weight  while 
making  the  action  extra  strong.  In  the  action  it  is  at  once  noticed  that  the 
makers  adopt  the  solid  top  frame  and  side  ejecting  principle  that  has  been 
used  so  successfully  in  rifles  for  the  past  ten  years.  This  solid  top  acts  both 
ways,  protecting  the  head  of  the  shooter  from  the  exploding  cartridge  and 
the  ejected  shell,  while  at  the  same  time  protecting  the  action  of  the  gun  from 
rain,  snow  and  all  foreign  substances. 

The  breech  bolt  of  this  gun,  when  closed,  fills  the  opening  in  the  frame  com- 
pletely, adding  to  the  neat  and  pleasing  appearance  of  the  arm  greatly,  as 
well  as  being  of  immense  service  in  keeping  out  sand,  dirt,  twigs,  pine-needles, 
etc.,  all  of  which  would  tend  to  make  the  action  work  hard  and  might  some- 
times disable  it  entirely. 

On  top  of  the  frame  for  its  full  length  is  milled  a  solid  rib  slightly  hollowed 
and  neatly  matted,  adding  an  attractive  feature  and  assisting  greatly  in  tak- 
ing quick  aim.  The  frame  has  a  blued  finish.  The  stock  has  all  the  style  and 
shapeliness  for  which  Marlin  Arms  are  famous.  The  regular  length  is  1S% 
inches,  with  1^  inches  drop  at  comb  and  2^  inches  drop  at  heel.  All  guns 
have  pistol  grips,  small  and  oval  in  shape.  Butt  plates  are  rubber,  extra 
thick  and  special  quality  for  strength.  They  are  strongly  cross  lined  on  sur- 
face so  that  they  hold  firmly  on  the  shoulder  with  no  tendency  to  slip.  The 
gun  has  a  wonderful  buoyancy  and  balance  that  must  be  felt  to  be  appreci- 
ated. That  dead-weight,  clubby  feeling  believed  by  some  to  be  inseparable 
from  a  repeater  is  entirely  absent.  The  magazine  is  loaded  by  passing  the 
cartridges  directly  into  it  under  the  carrier  with  the  action  closed.  This  may 
be  conveniently  done  with  the  gun  up-side  down.  The  capacity  of  the  arm  is 
six  shots,  one  in  the  chamber  and  five  in  the  magazine. 

To  take  down  a  trombone  action  three  parts  must  be  disconnected:  the 
action  bar,  the  magazine  and  the  barrel.  These  operations  are  performed  in 
the  Marlin  shot  gun  with  the  action  closed,  as  follows : 

First.  To  disconnect  the  action  bar,  move  the  fore  end  and  bar  to  the  rear 
a  slight  fraction  of  an  inch  until  the  small  notch  on  inside  of  bar  is  opposite 
the  action  bar  stop,  then  tip  over  the  stop  from  the  notch  in  the  barrel  to  the 


232  AMERICAN    SMALL    ARMS 

notch  in  the  action  bar,  when  the  handle,  bar  and  bar  stop  can  be  drawn  for- 
ward clear  of  the  frame. 

Second.  To  disconnect  the  magazine,  press  in  the  catch  at  the  front  end  of 
the  magazine  tube  with  the  left-hand  thumb,  at  the  same  time  revolve  the 
magazine  and  then  draw  the  magazine  tube  straight  forward  until  the 
tube  and  follower  are  clear  of  the  frame,  and  catch  snaps  into  hole. 

Third.  To  disconnect  the  barrel,  unscrew  by  turning  from  left  to  right.  The 
thread  on  the  barrel  is  left-handed. 

To  put  together,  screw  in  the  barrel.  Press  in  catch  and  draw  back  toward 
the  frame  the  magazine  tube  until  catch  snaps  into  hole:  be  sure  action  is 
locked  by  pressing  upward  on  front  end  of  locking  bolt  with  fingers  inserted 
througli  opening  on  bottom  of  frame;  draw  back  forearm  slowly  until  action 
bar  stop  is  op])osite  notch  in  barrel;  rotate  action  bar  stop  from  notch  in 
action  bar  to  notch  in  barrel  and  the  action  bar  connection  is  complete.  The 
lock  nut  on  the  breech  end  of  the  barrel  is  provided  to  take  up  any  wear,  and 
by  means  of  this  adjustment  the  barrel  can  always  be  made  tight  and  the 
take  dowm  mechanism  never  need  be  the  least  bit  shaky.  This  check  nut  is 
practically  a  movable  shoulder  on  the  barrel  against  wdiich  the  frame  abuts. 
It  is  cut  through  on  one  side  and  provided  with  a  clamp  screw  Avhicli  tight- 
ens it  onto  the  barrel,  preventing  its  turning.  If  the  barrel  is  ever  loose  or  the 
union  the  least  bit  shaky,  unscrew  this  clamp  screws  two  or  three  turns  or  un- 
til the  check  nut  is  free  to  turn  on  the  barrel.  Then  turn  the  check  nut  to  the 
right  a  trifle  or  until  the  action  is  perfectly  rigid,  when  the  clamp  screw- 
should  be  tightened  to  hold  the  check  nut  firmly  from  turning  on  the  barrel 
wdien  the  gun  is  taken  apart.  Notice  that  in  this  take  down  the  rear  end  of 
the  magazine  tube,  wiiich  is  only  a  thin  shell,  is  not  cut  into  or  cut  away  or 
weakened  in  any  manner.  The  magazine  tube  in  a  Marlin  take  down  is  just 
as  strong  as  in  a  solid  gun.  Notice  also  that  the  thread  on  the  rear  end  of  the 
barrel  which  holds  the  barrel  portion  to  the  action  is  not  cut  into  or  cut 
awa}^  but  this  most  important  thread  is  left  complete  and  perfect,  so  that 
there  is  just  as  much  metnl  in  tlie  union  and  exactly  the  same  distribution  of 
this  metal  in  a  Marlin  tnlie  down  as  in  a  solid  gun.  A  large  square  thread  is 
used  not  liable  to  become  jammed  or  crossed,  and  adjustment  for  wear  and  to 
take  up  all  shake  is  a  sim])le  check  nut,  an  elementary  mechanical  device  that 
does  the  w^ork  perfectly  and  cannot  get  out  of  order. 

Many  people  will  appreciate  a  gun  that  can  be  taken  apart  by  a  man  who 
is  not  an  expert.  Taking  out  one  screw  allows  the  entire  breech  mechanism 
to  be  removed  from  the  frame  in  this  gun. 

TO  TAKK  APART. 

With  the  action  ojten  take  out  the  carrier  screw ;  then,  holding  the  gun  in 
the  ordinary  position,  move  the  forearm  forward  slowly  about  an  inch  and 
the  carrier  will  droj)  out  through  the  o])ening  in  the  bottom  of  the  fi'anie. 
The  breech  bolt  containing  thelocking  bolt  can  then  be  drawn  out  to  the  rear. 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 


233 


TO  ASSEMBLE, 

Draw  the  forearm  and  action  bar  forward  clear  of  the  frame,  disconnecting 
the  action  bar  as  when  taking  down ;  insert  the  breech  bolt  in  its  proper 
channel,  sliding  forward  to  its  closed  position.  To  close  locking  bolt  press 
upward  on  its  Iron t  end  bj  inserting  the  lingers  through  the  opening  in  tlw 
bottom  of  frame.  Then  connect  action  bar  as  after  taking  down.  To  put  in 
carrier  open  the  action  half  way;  insert  carrier  through  opening  in  bottom 


FIGURE     14. 

of  frame,  being  sure  that  the  groove  or  cam  way  on  left  side  of  carrier  passes 
on  to  the  pin  in  locking  bolt  that  operates  it.  Then,  supporting  carrier  so 
that  it  shall  not  slip  off  from  this  pin,  move  carrier  and  breech  bolt  back 
slowly  until  the  screw-hole  in  carrier  comes  opposite  the  screw-hole  in  frame, 
when  the  carrier  screw  can  be  replaced. 

The  breech  mechanism  consists  of  a  large  and  long  breech  bolt,  a  straight 
locking  bolt  lying  inside  of  said  breech  bolt,  and  pivoted  near  its  center,  so 
vhat  its  ends  move  through  an  arc  of  a  vertical  circle  and  each  end  travels 
about  half  an  inch.  When  the  action  is  open.  Figure  14,  the  rear  end  of  the 
locking  bolt  is  up  within  the  breech  bolt. 

The  Marlin  16  gauge  repeater,  shown  in  Figure  15,  is  built  upon  very 
graceful  lines,  and  has  a  special  rolled  steel  barrel  with  a  tensile  strength 
of  about  66,000  pounds  to  the  square  inch.  The  barrels  are  specially 
bored  for  smokeless  or   black  powders,   and  are  proved  with  excessive 


Figure  15. 


loads.  The  capacity  of  the  magazine  is  five  shells,  with  one  additional 
in  the  chamber.  The  weight  of'  the  gun,  with  26  or  28  inch  barrel,  is 
6  1-8  or  6  1-4  pounds. 


234  AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 

MARTINI-HENRY  RIFLE. 

This  rifle  combines  the  Peabody-Martini  action  and  Henry  rifling.  This  excel- 
lent rifling  gives  14  bearing  faces  for  the  bullet.  The  grooves  are  7  in  number  and 
are  .007  inch  in  depth.  The  fabrication  of  this  rifle  involves  many  departures 
from  the  usual  processes  and  operations.  The  barrel  is  made  of  soft  or  mild  steel 
prepared  by  the  "Siemens-Martin"  process,  this  metal  having  been  found  to  be  of 
a  very  uniform  nature.  The  barrel  bars  or  molds  are  obtained  by  contract  in 
lengths  of  15  inches,  the  diameter  for  rifle  bars  being  i  1-2  inch.  The  barrel  bar  is 
heated  to  a  white  heat  and  passed  through  the  barrel  rolling-niill,  which  consists 
of  ten  pairs  of  rolls  arranged  alternately  horizontally  and  vertically,  when  it  is 
drawn  out  in  one  heat  to  the  full  length  required  (about  36  inches),  taper  in  form 
and  solid.  The  barrels  while  being  drilled  are  placed  vertically  in  a  machine, 
where  they  revolve  with  a  speed  of  300  revolutions  per  minute,  the  holes  already 
made  at  each  end  acting  as  guides  for  the  set  of  three  drills  used  in  this  operation. 
The  method  of  using  these  drills  insures,  a  long  hole  of  small  diameter  being 
drilled  perfectly  true,  and  until  this  method  was  tried  and  adopted  this  was  found 
to  be  a  most  difficult  task.  The  drills  consist  of.  first,  "the  core-drill,"  for  roughly 
cutting  away  the  metal.  This  is  run  in  half  an  inch,  when  the  barrel  is  taken  out 
and  emptied  of  scarf  or  cuttings  by  placing  it  over  a  jet-pipe,  when  a  strong  stream 
of  washing  liquor  thoroughly  clears  out  the  bore.  Another  half  inch  is  drilled  in 
the  same  manner,  and  the  bore  again  washed  out.  The  second  drill  or  half-round 
bit  is  now  used.  This  drill  is  0.430  inch  in  diameter,  and  having  only  a  cut  of  0.05 
inch  to  make  in  clearing  the  hole,  is  run  down  the  one  inch  the  core-drill  has 
cleared  without  any  risk  of  deviating  from  the  truth.  The  barrel  is  then  again 
vv-ashed  out  and  Xo.  3  drill  made  use  of.  This  has  a  stock  fitting  the  hole  already 
bored,  and  ending  in  a  small  3-16  inch  drill,  which,  being  supported  by  the  stock, 
drills  away  the  center  perfectly  true  with  the  axis  of  rotation,  ready  for  the  "core"' 
or  "rougning  drill"  to  start  again.  If  this  system  is  rigidly  carried  out  inch  by 
inch  it  is  possible  to  drill  a  hole  three  or  four  feet  deep  with  an  error  of  less  than 
0.005  inch. 

The  next  operation  is  to  support  and  hold  the  bore  true  while  the  outside  is 
turned  perfectly  concentric  with  it.  After  a  number  of  experiments  to  find  out  a 
means  of  fixing  a  true  turned  bush  or  collar  on  a  rough  exterior,  the  method  of 
running  sulphur  in  a  liquid  state  between  the  barrel  and  bush  was  adopted.  r>y 
this  means  the  exterior  of  a  barrel  can  be  turned  perfectly  true  with  the  hove 
without  injury  to  the  inside.  The  barrel  is  placed  vertically,  when  two  iilugs. 
whose  centres  coincide  with  the  axis  of  tlie  barrel  are  placed  in  ihc  ])reech  and 
muzzle;  the  bush  is  then  held  over  it  and   melted  sulphur  is  jtourcd   in   lie! ween 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS  235 

barrel  and  bush.    This  gives  a  bearing  for  the  outside  perfectly  true  with  the  bore. 

The  rifling  is  done  with  a  cutter  having  a  head  of  suitable  form  for  the  rifling 
required.  This  is  fitted  into  a  groove  cut  in  a  box  about  eight  inches  in  length  and 
fitting  the  bore.  It  is  drawn  through  the  barrel  by  a  rod  fastened  to  one  end  of  the 
cutter  box,  the  other  end  of  the  rod  being  coupled  into  the  spindle  of  the  head- 
stock  or  traversing  saddle.  On  the  spindle  is  a  pinion  geared  into  a  sliding  rack- 
carried  by  the  same  saddle.  The  end  of  the  rack  is  fitted  to  slide  backwaid  and 
forward  along  a  fixed  bar,  which  can  be  set  at  any  angle  necessary  to  rotate  the 
spindle  and  cutter  box  to  the  amount  of  spiral  required.  From,  four  to  five  cuts 
are  needed  for  each  groove,  and  the  cutter  is  fed  up  by  a  screw  tapped  into  the 
end  of  the  cutter  box,  to  which  a  rod  is  attached,  which  works  through  the  center 
boss  of  a  hand  wheel.  A  spiral  groove  is  cut  along  this  rod,  in  which  a  feather 
fixed  in  the  boss  of  the  hand  wheel  slides,  enabling  the  feed-screw  to  be  screwed 
in  or  out  by  the  hand  wheel  as  required.  An  index  is  connected  with  the  hand 
wheel,  enabling  the  operator  to  read  ofif  the  depth  of  cut.  The  barrel  is  fixed  in  a 
rotating  chuck,  which  is  divided  so  that  any  number  of  grooves  required  can  be 
cut  inside  the  bore.  The  rifling  is  of  uniform  twist  of  I  in  22  inches,  or  one  and 
a  half  turns  in  the  length  of  bore  (33  inches). 

A  particular  form  of  emery  wheel,  called  a  "rim  wheel,"  is  employed  for  finish- 
ing up  some  of  the  components.  Its  use  has  enabled  unskilled  labor  to  take  the 
place  of  a  high  class  -of  skilled  workmen,  and  the  work  is  better  finished.  For 
instance,  the  slot  of  the  back-sight  leaf  is  first  drifted  to  its  true  size.  By  this  it 
is  held  in  a  fixing  attached  to  a  vertical  axis  ,and  both  edges  with  cap  attached  can 
be  passed  across  the  face  of  the  rim  wheel,  maintaining  it  perfectly  true,  and 
grinding  the  edges  of  the  leaf  and  cap  parallel  to  each  other.  The  sides  are  done 
in  the  same  manner.     See  Pcahody  Rifle  and  Pcahody-Martini  Rifle. 

MAUSER  RIFLE. 

This  rragazine  rifle  has  become  Americanized  since  having  been  used  in  the 
Spanish- American  War,  in  1898,  and  in  the  Philippine  Insurrection.  In  the  1893 
Model,  the  cartridges  are  stripped  from  the  clips  into  the  magazine.  It  is  a  very 
strong  gun  and  is  operated  by  means  of  a  sliding  breech-block,  which,  when  pulled 
V.ack,  opens  the  breech  and  extracts  the  exploded  shell.  By  means  of  the  maga- 
zine spring,  a  new  cartridge  is  automatically  brought  into  position  to  be  forced 
into  the  barrel  chamber  by  the  forward  movement  of  the  breech-block,  which  also 
locks  the  mechanism.  The  magazine  holds  five  cartridges  and  is  loaded  by  means 
of  the  cartridge  clip.  To  load  the  arm,  open  the  breech,  place  the  cartridge  clip 
and  cartridges  in  place  at  the  breech ;  the  cartridges  can  then  be  placed  in  the 
magazine  in  one  movement  by  pressing  down  on  the  top  cartridge.     Remove  the 


236 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 


•  clip,  close  the  breech  and  the  rifle  is  ready  for  use.  The  muzzle  velocity  is  2.000 
f.  s.— the  caliber  is  7  millimeters,  or  .276.  The  Mauser  is  also  the  arm  of  Argen- 
tina, Brazil,  Chili,  Belgium,  Sweden,  and  Turkey. 

MAYNARD  RIFLE. 

This  rifle  was  popular  for  some  time  in  the  United  States  on  account  of  its 
great  accuracy  of  fire.  The  barrel  is  pivoted  to  the  stock,  the  rear  end  being  tilted 
up  to  receive  the  charge.  A  novel  feature  in  this  arm  was  that  it  employed  pellets 
of  fulminating  powder  placed  at  regular  intervals  between  narrow  strips  of  paper ; 
this  was  coiled  in  a  chamber  in  the  lock,  and  was  fed  forward  by  the  action  of  a 
wheel  that  was  operated  by  the  hammer  in  such  a  manner  that  a  fresh  pellet  was 
brought  on  top  of  the  nipple  at  each  discharge.  These  rifles  were  employed  to  a 
considerable  extent  by  the  rebel  sharpshooters  in  the  American  civil  war.  They 
appear,  however,  to  have  been  made  in  the  first  instance  as  target  rifles. 

One  valuable  and  a  special  feature  of  the  Maynard  system  is,  that  it  admits  of 
an  interchange  of  barrels  of  any  length  or  caliber.     The  manner  of  attaching  the 
barrel  to  the  stock  is  very  simple  and  as  follows :  Push  the  arm  of  the  lever  axis- 
pin  down  and  forward  until  it  stops  against  the  screw  which  holds  it  in  place,  then 
withdraw  it  as  far  as  possible;  hold  the  barrel  in  the  left  hand,  pass  the  lever 
down  through  the  breech-piece,  hook  the  barrel  on  to  the  axis-screw  at  the  front 
end,  insert  the  lever  axis-pin  through  the  lever,  then  turn  its  arm  back  to  its  fas- 
tening position.    No  screw-driver  required.    To  detach  the  barrel,  place  the  barrel 
in  position  as  for  inserting  the  cartridge,  then  reverse  the  motions  for  attaching. 
This  is  a  capital  gun  in  the  field,  and  especially  on  marches  through  a  game 
country,  when  it  may  be  desirable  to  use  the  weapon  either  as  a  rifle  or  shot  gun. 
Either  barrel  can  be  slipped  into  the  same  stock  in  a  moment.    The  ammunition  is 
peculiar.     The  strong  brass  cartridges  are  loaded  at  leisure,  costing  nothing  but 
for  the  powder  and  lead,  and  may  be  used  over  and  over  again  for  any  number  of 
times.    One  can  carry  cartridges  in  his  pocket,  loaded  with  different  sizes  of  shot, 
and  slip  in  and  fire  any  size  wanted,  for  large  or  small  game.    The  rifle  in  itself  is 
confined  to  the  central-fire  ammunition  in  each  and  all  of  the  calibers,  excepting 
the  .22,  in  which  the  rim-fire  ammunition  is  used;  but,  by  the  application  of  a 
simple  device,  known  as  the  Had  ley  firiiii:;  A'",  rim-fire  cartridges  may  also  be 
used.     The  device  consists  of  a  cap  attached  to  the  breech-piece  by  two  small 
screws,  in  which  is  a  disk  with  a  firing-pin  projecting  through  the  cap  at  such  a] 
point  from  the  center  as  to  strike  the  rim  of  the  cartridge.     This  disk  plays  freely  j 
in  the  cap,  and  is  driven  forward  by  the  firing-pin  in  the  breech-piece.     To  use 
the  central-fire  cartridges  it  is  only  necessary  to  remove  the  cap.  change  firing 
pins,  and  insert  the  latter. 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS  237 

McCLEAN  MAGAZINE  GUN. 

This  strong  and  well-built  rifle  has  the  straight  pnll  bolt  action.  It  has  been 
tested  with  much  satisfaction  by  the  author  and  in  view  of  its  several  novel  me- 
chanical actions  has  a  promising  future. 

MEIGS  GUN. 

This  gun  was  one  of  the  first  magazine  arms  carrying  a  great  number  of  car- 
tridges. Some  patterns  carried  as  many  as  forty  or  fifty  rounds.  This  system, 
like  many  of  its  contemporaries,  did  not  meet  with  any  considerable  success. 

MERRILL  GUN. 

This  breech-loading  rifle  has  a  fixed  chamber  closed  by  a  movable  breech-block, 
which  slides  in  the  line  of  the  barrel  by  direct  action.  It  is  opened  by  raising  the 
handle  of  the  breech-bolt  to  a  vertical  position  and  drawing  it  back  to  its  full 
extent.  In  raising  the  handle,  the  firing-pin  is  retracted  by  a  lug  near  its  head 
engaging  with  a  spiral  cam-recess  in  the  receiver ;  it  is  held  back  by  the  lug  enter- 
ing a  circumferential  groove  in  the  bolt.  In  withdrawing  the  bolt,  it  passes  over 
the  hammer  and  presses  it  back  to  the  full-cock.  The  piece  is  closed  by  reversing 
the  movement  of  the  bolt.  At  the  end  of  the  forward  stroke,  the  point  of  the  ex- 
tractor engages  with  a  recess  in  a  ring  which  surrounds  the  mouth  of  the  chamber, 
and  against  which  the  bolt  is  pressed,  and  turns  the  ring  with  it ;  so  that  the  rota- 
tion of  the  bolt  in  locking  will  not  cause  it  to  grind  against  the  head  of  the  car- 
tridge. In  turning  down  the  handle,  the  piece  is  locked  by  the  engaging  of  a 
sectional  collar  on  the  bolt  with  a  corresponding  groove  in  the  receiver.  When 
this  is  accomplished,  the  lug  on  the  firing-pin  is  opposite  the  deepest  part  of  the 
spiral  recess  and  is  free  to  move  forward  when  the  piece  is  fired  (by  means  of  a 
center-lock  moved  by  a  double  mainspring).  Extraction  is  accomplished  by  a 
spring-hook  lying  on  top  of  the  breech-bolt ;  and  in  drawing  back  the  bolt,  the 
natural  spring  of  the  extractor  presses  down  the  rim  of  the  cartridge  upon  the 
bottom  of  the  receiver,  until  it  is  checked  by  striking  against  a  notch  left  there  for 
that  purpose,  and  is  thereby  thrown  upward  around  the  hook  of  the  extractoi  and 
clear  of  the  gun. 

MERWIN-HULBERT  REVOLVER- 

This  excellent  arm,  patented  by  the  Messrs.  Merwin,  Hulbert  &  Company, 
and  now  manufactured  by  the  Hopkins  &  Allen  Arms  Company,  has  become  a 
great  favorite,  and  makes  the  following  claims  for  superiority:  Compactness, 
symmetrical,  easy  outline,  and  general  neat  appearance;  no  salient  points  to  pre- 
vent its  ready  and  easy  insertion  into  or  withdrawal  from  the  holster.  In  han- 
dling, not  liable  to  injure  the  hand;  all  the  projecting  parts  being  rounded  and 


238  AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 

smooth;  cleaning  being  thereby  facilitated.  The  circular  form  of  cylinder  front 
gives  a  continuous  cover  to  breech  of  barrel ;  prevents  sand  or  dirt  entering  there- 
in. Accidental  unlocking  of  the  parts  prevented,  as  hammer  must  first  be  set  at 
half-cock.  The  front  sight  forged  solid  with  the  barrel ;  not  liable  to  be  separated 
therefrom  or  injured.  The  extractor  ring  prevents  the  interior  of  the  lock  and 
ratchet  from  fouling  by  escape  of  gas  about  the  primer  when  using  outside 
primed  ammunition.  The  hood  and  collar  at  front  of  cylinder  covering  base- pin 
and  base-pin  hole  prevents  fouling.  The  flanged  recoil  plate  here  covers  and 
protects  the  heads  of  the  cartridges ;  prevents  sand  or  dirt  entering  between  face 
of  recoil  plate  and  cylinder,  wdiich  might  clog  it  and  prevent  rotation.  The  cylin- 
der and  barrel  can  be  dismounted  from  the  frame  and  re-assembled  thereto  with- 


mrwn^gm 


out  the  use  of  screw-driver  or  any  tool.  The  construction  is  not  mtricate  nor  frag- 
ile, and  the  extractor  is  a  solid  part  of  the  base-pin.  Strength,  durability  and 
endurance.  Simultaneous,  positive,  and  easy  extraction  of  shells;  great  power 
obtained  for  starting  the  shells  before  final  extraction  by  the  incline  screw  action 
on  the  base-pin.  Less  lateral  escape  gas  is  deflected  downward  into  the  works, 
as  no  top  strap  is  used.  The  face  of  the  collar  on  the  cylinder  takes  against  the 
bracket,  prevents  forward  movement  of  cylinder  when  pressed  by  the  ball  in  ro- 
tating ;  gives  a  central  bearing ;  prevents  abrasion  of  cylinder  face  against  rear  of 
barrel ;  gives  easy  rotation ;  permits  a  close  joint  without  friction,  reducing  the  es- 
cape of  gas ;  the  cylinder  is  not  forced  backward  on  firing,  but  is  held  forward  by 
the  hood-clutch  taking  into  the  recess  of  the  cylinder  collars.  The  lines  of  recoil 
and  resistance  are  close  together,  lessening  upward  inclination  of  barrel  when 
fired. 

The  following  are  the  directions  for  manipulating  the  arm : 

To  load. — Place  the  hammer  at  half-cock,  press  the  gate  downward  and  insert 
the  cartridges. 

To  eject  the  shells. —  Push  back  the  thumb-lxilt  under  the  frame,  turn  the  barrel 
outward,  and  draw  forward,  when  the  shells  will  fall  out. 

To  take  the  arm  apart. — When  the  barrel  and  cylinder  arc  drawn  forward, 
press  the  small  \i\n  in  the  Ixirrel-catch  even  with  the  frame,  then  press  the  catch 
down  and  draw  forward. 

The  patent  folding  hammer  on  double  action  revolvers  has  nuich  advantage. 
There    is  no  hammer  to  catch  when  inserting  into,  or  withdrawing   from,  the 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS  239 

pocket.     If  used  as  a  single  action,  when  the  arm  is  fired,  the  hammer  returns 

automatically  to   its   place,   closed.     Accidents   that   have   occurred   hy   the   arm 

striking  upon  the  hammer  when  accidentally  dropped  are  entirely  avoided  by  the 

folding  hammer  system. 

MILBANK  GUN. 

This  breech-loading  small-arm,  has  a  fixed  chamber  closed  by  a  movable  breech- 
block, which  slides  in  the  line  of  the  barrel  by  direct  action.  The  piece  is  opened 
by  raising  the  handle  of  the  breech-bolt  from  its  recoil-bearing  in  the  receiver, 
and  then  drawing  back  the  bolt.  It  is  closed  by  reversing  the  action  of  the  bolt ; 
the  hammer-bolt  striking  a  sear-bolt  in  closing,  and  thereby  compressing  the 
spiral  mainspring  which  surrounds  its  rear  portion.  It  is  locked  by  the  support 
afforded  the  base  of  the  handle  by  its  bearing  on  the  recoil-shoulder  of  the  re- 
ceiver when  the  piece  is  closed.  The  piece  is  fired  by  the  action  of  a  spiral  main- 
spring surrounding  the  hammer-bolt.  The  hammer-bolt  is  kept  from  accidentally 
discharging  the  cartridge  by  striking  the  firing-pin  before  the  breech  is  fully 
closed,  by  means  of  a  transverse  stop-pin,  which,  when  the  handle  is  up,  passes 
through  the  firing-pin  and  keeps  it  forced  back  with  its  point  flush  with  the  face 
of  the  bolt.  When  the  breech  is  fully  locked  by  turning  down  the  handle  into 
place,  the  transverse  pin  is  drawn  back  by  an  inclined  surface  in  the  hole  of  the 
firing-pin  through  which  it  passes,  and  it  leaves  the  firing-pin  free  to  be  driven 
forward,  at  pleasure,  in  the  usual  way.  The  rear  end  of  the  firing-bolt  when 
drawn  back  passes  through  the  base  of  the  rear  section  of  the  breech-bolt,  and 
indicates  the  position  if  cocked.  Extraction  is  accomplished  by  a  hook  swinging 
on  a  pin  passing  transversely  through  the  recoil-block  near  its  face.  Ejection  is 
caused  by  the  action  of  a  spiral  spring,  set  in  the  face  of  the  bolt  and  pressing 
against  the  lower  edge  of  the  cartridge-head  until  the  shell  is  clear  of  the  chamber. 
The  shell  being  then  free  to  turn,  is  rotated  around  the  hook  by  which  it  is 
held  and  is  thrown  clear  of  the  gun.  A  safety-lever  is  connected  with  this  arm 
and  serves  to  dispense  with  the  necessity  of  a  half-cock  notch.  The  accidental 
opening  of  the  breech  may  be  prevented  by  turning  up  the  handle  part  way  and 
pressing  down  its  stop-pin ;  the  point  of  this  passes  into  a  hole  in  the  side  of  the 
recoil-block,  and  thus  prevents  the  revolution  of  the  entire  bolt. 

MILES  GUN. 

This  magazine  gun  has  a  tubular,  under-barrel  magazine,  holding  nine  cart- 
ridges and  is  provided  with  a  cut-oft".  It  has  been  tested  with  satisfaction,  but  has 
not  been  manufactured  or  used  to  any  great  extent. 

MILLER  MAGAZINE  GUN. 

This  o-iin  is  an  adaptation  of  a  magazine  to  the  United  States  Service  Spring- 


240  AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 

field  rifle.     The  alterations  are  as  follows :  The  original  receiver  and  breech-pin 

are  replaced  by  a  receiver  alone,  the  tang  being  solid  with  it.    The  upper  rear  part 

of  the  receiver  gives  the  bearing  for  the  cam,  while  the  space  ordinarilv  filled  by 

the  breech-pin  is  utilized  as  a  channel  through  which  the  cartridges  are  fed  from 

the  magazine  in  the  butt-stock.    The  ejector-stud  is  replaced  by  one  beveled  on  its 

rear  as  well  as  its  front,  in  order  that  the  cartridges  may  slip  easily  over  it  into 

the  chamber.     The  magazine,  is  a  tube  slotted  through  its  whole  length.     To  the 

upper  side  of  the  side  of  the  tube  flat  springs  are  screwed.     At  the  end  of  each 

spring  and  riveted  to  it  is  a  lug,  beveled  on  its  rear  service ;  all  these  lugs  pass 

through  holes  cut  in  the  ma?:azine  and  serve  to  separate  the  cartridges.    A  ratchet 

works  in  the  slot  in  the  magazine  tube.     It  is  operated  by  a  slide  attached  to  the 

guard-plate.     When  the  slide  is  drawn  back  the  teeth  of  the  ratchet  pass  in  the 

rear  of  the  heads  of  the  cartridges.     On  being  returned  to  position  each  tooth 

moves  a  cartridge  forward,  the  lugs  on  the  springs  being  pressed  out  of  the  way 

by  the  cartridges  themselves.     At  the  front  of  the  ratchet  is  a  cartridge-stop,  held 

up  by  a  spring.     The  stop  is  prevented  from  rising  too  far  by  a  pin.     When  the 

ratchet  is  withdrawn   the   stop-spring  yields — since   the   cartridge   cannot   move 

backward  on   account   of  the   shoulders   of   the   lugs   on   the   springs — the    stop 

descends  and  is  drawn  under  the  first  cartridge,  which  is  then  free  to  leave  the 

magazine  and  enter  the  chamber,  gravity  being  the  motive  force,  the  gun  being 

held  muzzle  downward.    When  the  ratchet  is  moved  forward  the  second  cartridge 

occupies  the  place  of  the  first,  the  third  of  the  second,  and  so  on.     The  ratchet  is 

prevented  from  entering  the  tube  by  two  pins  which  bear  against  the  outer  surface 

of  the  tube  along  the  edges  of  the  slot.     It  is  held  in  contact  with  the  tube  by  a 

spring,  which  is  kept  from  slipping  ofif  the  bottom  of  the  ratchet  by  two  forks. 

The  magazine  is  loaded  through  a  gate  in  the  butt-plate.     A  projection  on  the 

breech-block  hooks  over  a  pin  and  prevents  motion  of  the  ratchet  when  the  piece 

is  locked.     As  a  magazine  gun,  five  motions  are  necessary  to  operate  it,   viz : 

cocked,  opened,  loaded  (by  operating  the  ratchet  by  the  slide),  closed,  fired.    The 

same  number  of  motions  is  necessary  as  a  single  loader.     This  gun  carries  six 

cartridges  in  the  magazine  and  one  in  the  chamber.     The  last  cartridge  will  not 

feed  from  tiie  magazine,  however,  until  forced  down  by  others  when  the  magazine 

is  reloaded. 

MORGENSTERN  GUN. 

This  breech-loading  rifle  has  a  fixed  chamber  closed  by  a  movable  breech-block, 
which  rotates  about  a  horizontal  at  90  degrees  to  the  axis  of  the  barrel,  lying 
above  the  axis  of  the  barrel,  and  in  front.  It  is  opened  by  drawing  back  the  han- 
dle of  the  firing-bolt  until  the  ribs  on  its  sides  are  clear  of  the  grooves  in  the  re- 
ceiver in  which  they  slide.     This  cocks  the  piece  by  compressing  the  spiral  main- 


AMERICAN   SMALL  ARMS  241 

spring  which  surrounds  the  firing-bolt,  until  it  is  caught  and  held  by  a  sear  lying 
well  in  the  bottom  of  the  breech-block.  The  breech-block  may  then  be  thrown 
upward  and  forward  until  it  is  stopped  by  striking  the  front  part  of  the  receiver. 
It  is  held  open  there  by  the  head  of  the  ejector-spindle,  which  changes  its  bearing 
on  the  extractor  so  as,  through  it,  to  support  the  block.  The  piece  is  closed  by  re- 
versing the  movement  of  the  brech-block,  and  is  locked  by  the  side  ribs  of  the  fir- 
ing-bolt engaging  with  the  undercut  grooves  in  the  rear  portion  of  the  receiver. 
The  piece  is  fired  by  a  concealed  spiral-spring  lock  the  firing-bolt  being  released 
by  the  action  of  the  trigger  within  the  receiver  upon  the  sear  within  the  block. 
Extraction  is  accomplished  by  the  breech-block  striking  the  lug  on  the  extractor 
above  its  centre  of  motion,  and  ejection  is  caused  by  the  acceleration  impressed  on 
the  extractor  by  the  action  of  the  ejector  spring  on  the  ejector-spindle,  when,  by  the 
motion  of  opening,  the  direction  of  this  latter  passes  below  the  axis  of  the  ex- 
tractor. The  ejector-spring  is  then  released  from  the  tension  caused  by  its  com- 
pression in  opening,  and  causes  the  extractor  to  rapidly  rotate  about  its  axis,  car- 
rying the  emptv  cartridge  against  the  beveled  shoulders  of  the  receiver,  by  which 
it  is  deflected  upward  and  thrown  clear  of  the  gun. 

MUIR-MONTSTORM  RIFLE. 

This  breech-loading  small  arm  has  a  fixed  chamber  closed  by  a  movable  breech- 
block, which  rotates  about  a  horizontal  axis  at  90  degrees  to  the  axis  of  the  barrel, 
lying  below  the  axis  of  the  barrel  and  in  front,  being  moved  from  above  by  a 
thumb-piece.  The  breech-block  of  this  arm  is  moved  by  an  outside  lever,  the 
interior  shaft  connected  with  which  is  cam-shaped,  so  that  the  first  motion  of 
opening  draws  down  the  breech-block,  until  a  lip  on  its  upper  surface  is  clear  of  a 
hook  or  jaw  formed  on  the  under  side  of  a  projection  of  the  frame  overhanging 
the  mouth  of  the  chamber.  By  continuing  the  motion  of  the  lever,  the  breech  is 
fully  exposed  by  the  rotation  of  the  block,  the  hammer  at  the  same  time  being 
brought  to  the  full-cock.  By  reversing  the  movement  of  the  lever  the  breech  is 
closed.  The  breech-block  is  locked  by  the  abutment  of  the  frame  upon  its  back. 
Extraction  and  ejection  are  accomplished  by  a  sliding  extractor  in  the  lower  side 
of  the  barrel.  Its  under  side  is  notched  for  the  upper  end  of  a  lever,  which  is  piv- 
oted on  the  same  pin  as  the  hammer.  This  lever  has  two  horizontal  arms,  which 
are  struck  by  corresponding  prongs  on  the  lower  side  of  the  block,  in  opening  the 
piece. 

MULLINS  GUN. 

This  magazine  gun  has  no  cut-ofif.  The  magazine  is  placed  below  the  receiver 
and  has  a  working  capacity  of  three  cartridges ;  it  will  contain  more,  but  if  they  are 
put  in  the  magazine  the  mechanism  cannot  be  operated. 


242  AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 

NEW  WORCESTER  GUN. 

This  well-received  hammerless  gun,  shown  in  the  drawing-,  is  an  American  pro- 
duction, made  on  the  American  interchangeable  plan,  and  is  provided  to  meet  the 
demand  for  a  good,  serviceable  hammerless  gun  at  a  low  cost.  It  is  easily  taken 
apart  and  put  together,  for  cleaning  or  oiling  of  the  lockwork.  The  frame,  or 
action,  is  long  and  made  in  one  piece.  All  the  lock  mechanism  is  contained  in 
the  solid  one-piece  frame,  thus  making  the  action  of  the  gun  positive  in  all  cli- 
mates. The  construction  does  entirely  away  with  the  annoyance  of  the  nose  of  the 
hammers  hanging  in  the  indented  primers  in  the  opening  of  the  gun  after  firing. 
as  by  the  simple  and  effective  form  of  the  double-locking  bolt,  the  hammers  and 
the  firing  pins  are  withdrawn  from  the  primers,  thus  rendering  the  opening  of  the 
gun  for  reloading  easy.     The  trigger  locking  mechanism,  or  safety,  is  automatic 


and  positive  in  its  action.  The  barrels  are  subtwist  or  fine  damascus,  choke  bored, 
double  bolted,  with  fiat  matted extenison  rib;  can  be  taken  oflf  and  put  on  the  action 
without  cocking  the  gun,  by  simply  pressing  the  small  cam  on  the  imder  side  of  ac- 
tion. The  barrels  are  provided  with  an  improved  check  hook  on  the  lug,  which 
sustains  the  weight  of  the  barrels  when  open,  preventing  any  strain  on  the  hinge 
joint,  thus  adding  many  years  usefulness  to  the  gun. 

To  open  the  gun  without  cocking,  press  the  cam  at  the  bottom  of  the  frame  as 
far  toward  the  muzzle  as  it  will  go,  keeping  the  finger  on  the  cam  until  the  barrels 
are  tilted  sufficiently  for  the  cam  to  pass  the  cocking  lever. 

To  take  the  barrels  off  the  action,  do  as  described  above,  and  the  haniniers  will 
remain  down.  To  let  the  hammers  down  without  snapping  when  the  barrels  are 
up,  push  the  safety  forward,  pull  both  the  triggers  and  close  the  gun. 

To  take  the  stock  off  the  gun  for  inspection  or  oiling  of  the  lockwork,  loosen  the 
upper  screw  in  the  butt-plate,  taking  the  lower  screw  out,  swing  the  butt-plate  to 
one  side,  then  remove  the  screw  rod  whicli  runs  lengthwise  through  the  stock 

This  excellent  gun  and  several  others  similar  {o  it,  cliea])  but  good,  known 
under  the  trade  names  of  "New  Field  Cnni,"  "National  Arms  Co.'s  Guns, "etc., 
may  be  procured  from  Wm.  Read  &  Sons.  Boston. 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS  243 

PARKER  GUNS. 

The  Parker  shot  gun  has  stood  the  test  in  the  most  satisfactory  manner  for  hard  and 
continuous  service  in  competition  with  the  best  guns  of  both  home  and  foreign  manufac- 
ture. This  gun  is  presented  to  sportsmen  to  meet  a  demand  that  exists  for  a  "  top-action  " 
gun  that  combines  all  the  essential  qualities  of  a  perfect  gun,  which  are,  simplicity  of  con- 
struction, excellence  of  workmanship,  beauty  of  proportion,  balance,  shooting  qualities, 
and  capacity  to  resist  the  strain  of  long  continued  use.  The  locking  devices  employed 
are  superior  to  those  used  by  most  other  manufacturers.  The  locking  bolt  holds  the  bar- 
rels positively  firm,  and  being  df  taper  shape,  allows  the  locking  of  the  gun,  even  when 
a  little  dirt  is  in  the  way.  This  locking  bolt  is  supplemented  by  the  top  fastener  upon  the 
end  of  the  extension  rib,  which  prevents  the  springing  of  the  breech  from  the  barrels,  and 
any  lateral  motion  of  the  barrels  at  the  time  of  discharge.  This  fastener  has  its  sides 
cut  upon  the  arc  of  a  circle,  with  the  hinge  joint  as  a  center,  which  gives  a  perfect  bearing 
along  its  entire  surface  when  the  gun  is  closed.  Most  other  top  fastenings  fit  on  the  top 
only,  and  are  of  no  benefit  as  a  fastener,  because  when  the  gun  is  slightly  opened  there 


Figure  1. 

is  no  contact  along  its  surface,  whereas  this  fastener  has  a  bearing  during  the  entire  oper- 
ation of  opening  the  barrels.  It  is  the  result  of  experience,  that  in  order  to  enable  sports- 
men to  use  heavy  charges,  the  hinge  pin  must  be  removed  from  the  breech  a  greater  dis- 
tance than  formerly.  The  length  of  the  frame,  therefore,  has  been  materially  increased, 
which,  although  it  adds  to  the  expense  of  manufacture,  insures  durability  to  the  gun  and 
allows  free  action  of  the  lever.  Figure  i.  Particular  attention  has  been  paid  to  the  prop- 
er shape  and  distribution  of  materials,  and  the  greatest  strength  will  be  found  where  the 
strain  is  most  severe,  and  where  the  wear  and  tear  is  greatest.  A  great  variety  of  weights 
and  sizes  are  made,  and  in  all  of  them  will  be  found  that  symmetry  of  proportion,  beauty 
of  outline  and  perfection  of  balance  for  which  this  gun  is  so  justly  celebrated,  and  which 
is  so  pleasing  to  the  sense  of  sight  and  touch  of  all  true  sportsmen. 

The  Parker  gun  is   a  distinctively  American  product,  and  has  all  the  advantage  of 
the  American  system  of  manufacturing,  by  producing  an  interchangeable  gun,  the  parts 


244 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 


of  which  are  all  made  to  gauge,  fit  accurately,  and  are  readily  duplicated.  The  different 
parts  are  made  by  special  machinery,  and  are  subject  to  rigid  inspection,  so  that  no  de- 
fective or  imperfect  part  can  find  its  way  into  the  finished  gun.  The  number  of  parts  is 
reduced  to  a  minimum,  and  the  construction  is   so  simple  that  any   sportsman    with    no 


Figure  2. 

tool  but  a  screw-driver,  can  take  his  gun  apart  for  cleaning  or  repairs.  No  breech  loader 
has  less  to  get  out  of  order,  and  none  will  stand  better  the  ordeal  to  which  a  breech  loader 
is  subjected.  The  springs  used,  aside  from  the  locks,  are  such  as  can  be  made  by  any 
one,  and  the  breaking  of  one  or  all  of  them  would  not  interfere  with  a  day's  sport  or  the 
safe  and  successful  use  of  the  gun.  All  the  materials  are  selected  with  the  greatest  care, 
and  no  metals  but  the  best  cast  steel  and  wrought  iron  are  used  in  its  construction.  The 
locking  bolt  is  held  back  while  the  gun  is  open,  doing  away  with  the  wear  on  the  hinge 
joint,  which  all  breech  loaders  are  subjected  to  when  the  barrels  are  forced  down  against  a 


Figure  3. 

Strong  spring  in  the  rear  of  the  bolt.     The  patent  rebounding  locks  are  all  made  of  the 
finest  materials  and  by  skilled  workmen. 

Figure   2    shows  the   locking   mechanism  of  the   top  action,  the  gun  being  closed. 
Figure  3  represents  the  gun  opened.     Pressing  the  thumb  against  the  lever  15  throws  i' 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS  245 

to  the  right,  and  acting  through  the  piece  1 6,  forces  the  piece  1 8  to  the  rear.  This  piece 
being  pivoted  at  the  lop  withdraws  the  bolt  17  from  the  mortise  which  is  cut  in  the  lug  6, 
and  releases  the  barrels,  ready  for  the  insertion  of  the  cartridges.  It  will  be  observed 
that  when  the  bolt  17  is  back  to  the  position  as  shown  in  Figure  3,  the  small  hole  which 
is  drilled  in  the  under  side  of  said  bolt  comes  directly  over  the  trip  21,  which  by  the  assis- 
tance of  the  small  spiral  spring  8,  is  made  to  enter  this  hole  in  the  bolt  17,  and  thereby 
holds  it  in  position.  This  prevents  the  lug  6  coming  in  contact  with  the  bolt  17  when 
the  gun  is  closed.  By  means  of  spring  20  the  action  of  the  lever  /j  is  positive,  not  only  to 
withdraw  the  \)o\\.from,  but  to  force  it  forward  into  the  mortise  in  the  lug  6.  When  the 
gun  is  closed,  as  shown  in  Figure  2,  the  sides  of  the  extension  rib  24,  being  upon  the  arc 
of  a  circle,  with  the  hinge  joint  13  as  a  center,  have  a  bearing  along  their  entire  surface, 
and  the  extension  rib  fits  securely  into  its  seat  24  in  frame.  When  the  barrels  are  brought 
to  place  for  firing,  the  bottom  of  the  lug  6  strikes  the  trip  21,  withdrawing  it  from  the  bolt 
17,  which  then  enters  the  mortise  in  the  lug  6  and  securely  locks  the  gun,  as  shown  in 
Figure  3.  The  taper  bolt  1 7  locks  the  barrels  positively  firm,  and  the  use  of  a  taper  bolt 
for  fastening  the  gun  gives  it  a  decided  advantage  over  others,  as  it  does  not  allow  a  little 
dirt  (which  is  very  liable  to  get  under  the  barrels  when  open)  to  prevent  the  gun  from 
locking.  Many  times  when  shooting,  sportsmen  are  balked  this  way,  but  this  gun  closes 
with  the  same  ease  and  locks  as  securely  if  there  is  a  little  dirt  in  the  way.  When  the 
gun  is  open  the  check  hook  T  comes  in  contact  with  the  pin  e  which  avoids  any  strain 
on  the  joint  13,  and  thus  prevents  the  gun  becoming  shaky  by  constant  use. 

The  automatic  extractor,  used  for  top  action,  lifter  action  and  hammerless,  is  shown 
in  Figure  4.  This  draws  the  shells  or  cartridges  from  the  barrels  during  the  operation  of 
opening  the  gun.     The  extractor  14  is  inserted  in  a  hole  drilled  in  the   lug  34,  with  its 


Figure  4. 

rear  end  enlarged  and  extended  into  and  around  a  portion  of  the  chambers  of  the  barrels 
as  shown  in  Figure  4  (which  represents  an  end  view  of  the  breech  of  the  barrels).  When 
the  gun  is  closed  the  extractor  14  extends  from  the  rear  end  of  the  barrels  to  the  projec- 
tion on  the  joint  13,  and  as  the  barrels  swing  on  this  joint  13,  which  remains  stationary, 
this  projection  forces  the  extractor  1 4  from  the  rear  end  of  the  barrels,  so  that  when  they 
arrive  at  the  position  as  shown  in  Fgure  3,  the  cartridges  are  withdrawn  from  them  far 
enough  to  be  entirely  removed  by  the  hand.  After  removing  the  cartridges  and  inserting 
others,  the  barrels  are  brought  to  place,  the  cartridges  coming  in  contact  with  the  face  of 
the  frame  are  forced  into  the  chambers  of  the  barrels,  and  the  gun  is   ready  for  firing. 


246  AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 

Thus  it  will  be  seen  that  the  extraction  and  insertion  of  cartridges  is  accomplished  auto- 
matkaUy  and  hv  a  positive  motion,  and  in  the  most  convenient  and  expeditious  manner 
possible. 

Figure  5  shows  the  locking  mechanism  of  the  lifter  action,  the  gun  being  closed. 
Figure  6  represents  the  gun  opened.     These   guns   received   the   first   premium   grand 


Figure  5. 


medal  and  diploma  over  all  competitors  at  the  Centennial  Exhibition,  1876,  and  at  the 
Melbourne  Exhibition  1881.  They  are  manufactured  with  the  improved  check-hook  and 
pin,  the  fore  end  lock,  solid-head  plungers,  rebounding  locks,  and  patent  self-acting  snap 


Fi^re  6« 

action,  which  is  both  convenient  and  secure.  The  locking  bolt  is  held  back  while  the 
gun  is  open,  doing  away  with  the  wear  on  the  hinge  joint,  which  all  breech-loaders  are 
subjected  to  when  the  barrels  are  forced  down  against  a  strong  spring  in  the  rear  of  the 
bolt.  Pressing  up  on  the  finger-piece  i,  in  front  of  the  guard  2,  raises  the  lifter  3.  and  its 
beveled  side,  coming  in  contact  with  the  screw  4,  acts  as  a  wedge  to  draw  the  bolt  5  from 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS  247 

the  mortise  which  is  cut  in  the  kig  6,  and  releases  the  barrels,  as  shown  in  Figure  6, 
ready  for  the  insertion  of  the  cartridges.  It  will  be  observed  that  when  the  bolt  5  is  back 
to  the  position  as  shown  in  Figure  6,  the  same  hole  which  is  drilled  in  the  under  side  of 
said  bolt  comes  directly  over  the  trip  7,  which  by  the  assistance  of  the  small  spiral  spring 
8,  is  made  to  enter  this  hole  in  the  bolt  5,  and  thereby  holds  it  in  position.  The  finger-piece 
I  is  solid  and  a  part  of  lifter  3.  The  action  of  the  lifter  3  is  positive,  not  only  to 
withdraw  the  bolt  from,  but  to  force  it  forward  into  the  mortise  in  the  lug  6.  For  the 
purpose  of  cleaning,  it  can  be  very  easily  removed  by  taking  off  the  locks  and  removing 
the  small  screw  4  from  the  end  of  bolt  5,  then  press  down  on  trip  7,  which  will  allow  the 
lifter  to  be  withdrawn  without  removing  either  stock,  guard  or  trigger-plate.  The  im- 
proved roll  13  gives  great  strength  to  the  joint. 

The  Parker  rebounding  lock,  used  on  the  top  and  lifter  action,  is  shown  in  Figures 
7,  8  and  9  at  full  cock,  half  cock  and  with  the  hammer  down  on  the  plunger.     The  op- 


Figure  7. 


Figure  8.  Figure  9. 

eration  of  this  lock  is  very  simple,  and  renders  all  fire-arms  using  it  safe  from  liability  of 
a  premature  or  accidental  discharge.  When  the  gun  is  discharged  the  main  spring  carries 
the  hammer  in  the  usual  manner  until  the  spring  comes  in  contact  with  the  stud  in  the 
plate  and  stops.  The  hammer,  by  its  own  momentum,  now  explodes  the  cap,  and  at  this 
point  is  shown  in  Fig.  9,  with  the  nose  of  the  sear  resting  on  incline  of  tumbler,  ready  to 
force  it  back  to  half  cock  as  soon  as  the  pressure  is  relieved  from  the  trigger. 

The  Parker  hammerless  gun  is  a  departure  from  other  hammerless  guns  in  many  re- 
spects, one  of  which  is  the  spiral  main  spring,  and  applied  as  it  is  in  this  gun,  establishes  its 
superiority  over  any  spring  made.  Its  action  is  quick,  effective  and  durable,  and  it  will 
stand  six  times  longer  than  any  leaf  spring  made.  The  cocking  mechanism  differs  from 
all  others  in  using  one  cocking  slide  to  operate  the  hammers  simultaneously.  The  ad- 
vantage of  this  cocking  device  is  two  fold.     First,  doing  away  with  two  cocking  devices 


248  AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 

as  used  on  all  other  hammerless  guns.  Second,  the  common  fault  of  one  hammer  failing 
to  come  to  full  cock  at  exact  instant  with  the  opposite  one  is  entirely  overcome,  as  they  are 
both  compelled  by  this  device  to  drop  into  cock  notch  at  precisely  the  same  instant.  The 
cocking  is  easy  and  smooth  from  start  to  full  cock.  The  action  frame  is  long,  insuring 
much  greater  strength  and  durability  than  it  is  possible  to  get   with  the  short  action  so 


Figure  10. 

commonly  used.  The  patent  rebound  device  does  away  entirely  with  the  annoyance  of  the 
nose  of  the  hammer  hanging  in  the  indented  primer  in  the  operation  of  opening  after 
firing.  It  is  simple,  effective  and  durable.  The  stop  check  or  check  hook  is  a  neat  and 
simple  device  to  stop  or  check  the  downward  motion  of  the  barrels  in  opening  the  gun  to 
load  and  requires  no  extra  tools  to  dismount  the  barrels.  The  barrels  of  this  gun  can  be 
detached  and  attached  at  all  times,  same  as  the  hammer  gun,  without  reference  to  the 
gun  being  cocked  or  not,  thus  avoiding  the  necessity  of  cocking  it  before  replacing  the 
barrels.  All  the  working  parts  of  this  gun  are  attached  to  the  solid  iron  work  (instead 
of  portions  being  attached  to  the  wood),  thus  rendering  the  action  of  the  gun  in  all  climates 
positive  and  not  liable  to  be  thrown  out  of  adjustment  by  the  action  of  the  atmosphere 
the  wood.     For  safety  this  gun  is  so  constructed  that  the  hammers  can  never  be  light- 


on 


Figure  11. 

ly  let  down  to  rest  on  loaded  shells;  an  operation  that  is  very  dangerous.  The  safet)^ 
for  locking  the  trigger  is  automatic  also  positively  and  absolutely  safe.  When  desiring  to 
let  the  hammers  down  remove  the  shells  and  snap  the  hammers  down  as  if  firing  the  gun. 
Especial  attention  is  called  to  the  patent  fore-end  lock  for  fastening  the  fore-piece  to  the 
barrel,  a  sectional  view  of  which  is  shown  in  Figure  ii.  Its  neat  appearance  and  con- 
venience commends  itself. 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS  249 

Messrs.  Moran  &  Wolfersperger,  Chicago,  have  invented  an  automatic  ejector 
for  hammerless  shotguns.  The  invention  consists  simply  of  one  ejector  box  or 
receiver,  firmly  fitted  to  the  fore-end  iron  on  the  gun;  two  ejector  hammers  piv- 
oted in  box,  extending  through  the  fore-end  iron,  striking  end  of  extractor  rod 
with  great  force  when  released  by  sears ;  two  V-shaped  main  springs,  placed  in  a 
position  to  give  a  true  and  even  tension  against. the  ejector  hammers;  two  sears 
pivoted  in  box  set  to  abut  against  the  ejector  hammers  with  drag  enough  to  stand 
the  wear,  and  impossible  to  jar  off,  which  is  a  great  fault  in  some  ejector  mechan- 
isms; two  V-shaped  sear  springs 

The  ejector  hammers  are  set  by  closing  of  the  gun,  coming  in  contact  with  the 
extractor  rods,  and  firmly  set  by  the  sears,  which  extend  through  the  fore-end  iron 
to  the  ejector  sear  trips  in  the  frame  of  the  gun.  The  ejector  box  contains  only 
eight  parts  complete. 

The  frame  of  the  gun  contains  two  push  rods  connected  to  main  spring  plungers 
or  hammer  in  frame  of  gun,  which  come  in  contact  wnth  two  sear  trip  levers  at  the 
extreme  end  of  the  frame  and  pivoted;  they  come  in  contact  with  two  sear  trips 
which  are  extended  from  the  frame  of  the  gun,  when  the  gun  has  been  fired  or 
hammers  snapped  down,  causing  the  sears  in  the  ejector  box  to  be  disengaged  from 
the  ejector  hammers  when  gun  is  opened  at  the  proper  time  and  throw  the  empty 
shells  clear  from  the  barrels  of  the  gun.  Closing  the  gun  reverses  the  action  and 
sets  the  mechanism  for  action. 

The  new  Parker  automatic  ejector  is  very  simple  in  mechanism  and  requires 
no  extra  force  for  manipulation.  The  setting  or  cocking  of  the  ejectors  is  done 
with  a  minimum  friction,  and  the  ejectors  cannot  move  back  and  forth  when  the 
gun  is  opened  and  closed,  unless  the  gun  has  been  fired,  so  that  it  is  hardly 
noticeable  that  an  automatic  ejector  gun  is  being  handled. 

PEABODY  RIFLE. 

This  rifle,  invented  by  Mr.  Henry  O.  Peabody,  of  Boston,  Mass.,  is  the  parent 
of  the  Peabody-Martini  and  Martini-Henry  rifles.  The  original  Peabody  was 
very  much  like  the  Martini-Henry,  except  that  the  spiral  spring  for  actuating  the 
firing-pm  was  placed  in  the  stock  in  rear  of  the  block.  The  type  of  this  rifle  or- 
dered by  the  Turkish  Government  in  1873  is  almost  identical  with  that  used  in  the 
British  service,  except  that  the  cartridge  is  rather  smaller  and  more  symmetrical ; 
the  powder  charge  and  weight  of  bullet,  however,  are  the  same.  The  range  of 
this  arm  w^as  so  much  superior  to  that  of  the  Russian  Berdan  rifle  employed  at 
the  same   time  that  it  gave  the  Turks  an  immense  advantage  over  their  Russian 


250  AMERICAN    S  xM  A  L  L    ARMS 

adversaries.  Nothing  has  ever  liappened  in  the  history  pi  firearms  whicn  shows 
more  forcibly  the  great  advantage  which  arises  from  the  possession  of  a  really 
first  class  powerful  rifle  more  than  the  fighting  about  Plevna ;  the  Russians  at  the 
time  were  armed  with  the  Berdan  rifle,  and  it  appears  that  they  were  not  prepared 
to  meet  a  rifle  with  such  an  extremely  long  range  as  the  Peabody-Martini. 

General  Todleben,  in  a  letter  to  General  Brialmont,  states  the  number  of  Turk- 
ish bullets  which  fell  among  the  Russian  ranks  when  they  were  still  2,000  yards 
away  from  the  defenders'  position  was  such  that  divisions,  which  at  the  outset 
numbered  from  10.000  to  12,000  men,  were  speedily  reduced  to  a  strength  of  from 
4.000  to  5,000 ;  that  in  other  words,  they  lost  half  their  effectives.  Captain  Kouro- 
patkine,  speaking  of  the  attack  upon  Loftcha,  states  that  at  2,000  yards  from  th- 
Turkish  position  Russian  soldiers  were  struck  down  by  the  defenders'  bullets,  and 
that  at  1,500  yards  men  were  falling  rapidly  on  all  sides:  and  General  Zeddeler, 
who  was  present  with  the  Russian  guard  when  it  received  its  "baptism  of  fire."  at 
Gorni  Dubniak,  states  that  at  3,000  paces  from  the  defenders'  position  the  Rus- 
sians began  to  suffer  loss ;  that  at  2,000  paces  men  w^ere  falling  rapidly,  and,  as 
the  attack  progressed,  the  reserve  suffered  nearly  as  much  as  the  firing  line.  See 
Martini-Henry  Rifle  and  Peabody-Martini  Rifle. 

PEABODY-MARTINI  RIFLE. 

This  rifle  is  a  combination  of  the  Peabody  and  Martini  systems,  the  former 
covering  the  mechanism  for  closing  the  breech  and  extracting  ,the  cartridge  shell, 
after  the  rifle  has  been  fired,  and  the  latter  covering  the  device  for  igniting  the 
cartridge.  This  rifle  was  adopted  by  the  English  and  Turkish  Governments,  after 
long  and  exhausting  trials  in  competition  with  all  the  prominent  breech-loading 
rifles  of  the  world.  It  endured  the  test  of  actual  experience  in  war  during  the  con- 
test between  Russia  and  Turkey,  and  obtained  the  highest  reputation  for  solidity, 
accuracy,  long  range,  and  other  desirable  qualities  of  a  military  weapon.  The 
oflicial  reports  from  the  armies  in  the  field,  and  the  letters  of  army  correspondents, 
unite  in  praise  of  the  Turkish  rifles.  The  parts  composing  the  breech  mechanism 
combine  the  greatest  possible  strength  with  simplicity  of  construction,  and  the  sys- 
tem, in  its  present  perfection,  is  the  result  of  long  and  careful  study  to  produce  a 
rifle  meeting  all  the  requirements  of  military  service.  Its  form  is  compact  and 
graceful,  and  the  symmetry  of  its  lines  is  nowhere  infringed  upon  by  unseemly 
projections,  whicli  Ix'sides  being  ofl'ensive  to  the  eye.  are  often  ])rejudicial  to  the 
comfort  of  the  soldier  on  the  march  or  in  the  performance  of  its  necessary  manii)u- 
lations.  No  movement  of  the  liarrtl,  or  any  other  parts,  except  those  immediately 
connected  willi  ihe  l)]()cl<,  is  re(|uired  in  the  performance  of  any  of  its  operations. 
These  arc  performed  in  the  simplest  possible  manner,  and  without  in  the  least  in- 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS  251 

fringing-  upon  the  strength  and  durability  of  the  rifle,  which  is  equal,  in  these 
respects,  to  the  best  muzzle-loader.  In  the  operation  of  loading,  the  whole  move- 
ment of  the  block  is  made  within  the  breech-frsme  or  receiver  the  end  of  the 
block-lever  falling  but  a  short  distance  from  the  stock.     The  block  itself  is  a 


strong,  substantial  piece,  and  when  in  position  for  firing,  is  so  firmly  secured  as  to 
ensure  its  perfect  safety,  as  has  been  repeatedly  shown  in  the  severe  tests  to  which 
it  has  been  subjected.  The  position  of  the  block,  when  it  is  drawn  down  for  load- 
ing, is  such  as  to  form  an  inclined  plane,  sloping  toward  the  breech  of  the 
barrel,  and  the  groove  in  its  upper  surface  corresponding  with  the  bore  of  the 
barrel,  facilitates  the  entrance  of  the  cartridge  so  that  it  slides  easily  into  the 
chamber,  without  the  necessity  even  of  looking  to  see  that  it  is  properly  inserted. 
The  adoption  of  the  coil  main-spring  in  place  of  the  common  gun-lock  main- 
spring, is  considered  a  great  improvement.  It  has  been  found  that,  in  several  in- 
stances, where  the  coil  main-springs  were  broken,  the  defects  were  not  noticed, 
and  the  springs  compressed  in  the  blocks  worked  as  usual.  Had  such  mishaps 
occurred  to  the  old  gun-lock  mainsprings,  the  arm  would  have  been  rendered  use- 
less. The  accuracy  and  range  of  this  rifle  are  very  remarkable.  The  system  of 
rifling  used  is  that  known  in  England  as  the  Henry.  There  are  seven  grooves,  of 
peculiar  shape,  with  a  sharp  twist  (one  turn  in  twenty  inches).  After  a  long 
series  of  experiments,  with  different  kinds  of  rifling,  the  English  Arms  Commis- 
sion finally  decided  upon  this  ystem  as  giving  the  most  satisfactory  results,  both 
with  regard  to  accuracy  and  range. 

The  manipulations  for  loading  and  finng  are  of  the  simplest  kind  :  Throw  down 
the  block-lever  with  considerable  force,  pressing  with  the  thumb  of  the  right  hand ; 
insert  the  cartridge ;  and  return  the  lever  to  its  place,  which  raises  the  block  to  its 
proper  position  when  the  rifle  is  ready  for  firing.  After  firing,  throw  down  the 
block-lever  with  force,  and  the  empty  cartridge  shell  is  thrown  out  clear  from  the 
rifle,  leaving  the  chamber  ready  for  the  insertion  of  another  cartridge.  This  ex- 
traction of  the  cartridge  shell  is  eft'ected  by  the  action  of  an  elbow  lever,  which 
throws  it  out  with  unerring  certainty,  the  instant  the  block-lever  is  lowered.  This 
elbow  lever  derives  its  power  simply  from  the  action  of  the  block  itself,  and  cannot 
become  deranged,  as  its  action  is  not  dependent  upon  any  spring  and  is  of  such 
strength  as  to  prevent  the  possibility  of  breakage  or  derangement  by  an}-  service 


252  AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 

to  which  it  can  be  subjected.  If  it  is  desired  to  preserve  the  cartridge  shell  for 
reloading,  throw  down  the  block-lever  with  a  gentle  movement,  and  it  is  drawn 
out  into  the  groove  of  the  block,  from  whence  it  can  readily  be  taken  by  the  person 
firing.     Sec  Martiiii-Hciiry  Rifle  and  Pcabody  Rifle. 

PHOENIX  RIFLE. 

This  breech-loading  rifle  was  formerly  manufactured  by  the  Whitney  Arms 
Company.  Like  the  Whitney  and  Kennedy  rifles,  which  are  improvements  on  it, 
it  is  very  simple  of  construction,  and  perfectly  strong,  safe  and  durable,  while  the 
ease  of  manipulation  in  opening  and  closing  the  breech,  and  extracting  the  shell 
or  cartridge  cannot  be  surpassed.  These  arms  have  less  parts  than  other  breech- 
loading  rifles  in  use,  and  the  parts  are  of  such  form  as  to  render  them  as  strong 
and  safe  as  rifles  can  be  made.  They  have  short  top  action,  and  are  symmetrical 
in  form.     See  Kennedy  Rifle  and  Whitney  Rifle. 

PITCHER  GUN. 

The  mechanism  in  this  magazine  arm  is  operated  by  a  cover  slide,  connected 
with  a  handle  which  has  a  direct  forward  and  back  motion  only  without  rotation. 
The  receiver  is  in  one  piece,  to  which  the  breech-block  is  fitted,  the  front  end  of 
the  latter  admitting  of  a  sliding  motion,  while  the  rear  end  of  the  bolt  has  in  addi- 
tion a  vertical  motion  to  lock  and  unlock.  For  this  purpose  a  mortise  is  formed 
vertically  through  the  lower  half  of  the  receiver,  while  its  upper  half  is  grooved 
lengthwise  from  the  barrel  back  to  the  rear.  The  mortise  serves  the  double  pur- 
pose of  a  receptacle  for  the  magazine  case  and  a  shoulder  to  sustain  the  bolt  under 
discharge.  Two  latches,  pivoted  upon  the  upper  side  of  the  bolt  in  contact  with 
the  cover  slide,  impart  vertical  motion  to  the  rear  of  the  bolt  to  unlock  the 
piece.  A  beveled  surface  upon  the  rear  end  of  the  breech-bolt,  in  conjunction 
with  a  rounded  surface  upon  the  under  side  of  the  cover  slide  closes  and  locks 
the  piece.  The  magazine  is  not  enclosed  in  any  box,  but  is  skeleton  in  form, 
made  of  one  strip  or  piece  of  spring  steel  with  upright  guiding  rods  at  the  front 
end, 

PUTNAM  MAGAZINE  GUN 

This  "straight  pull"  rifle,  of  original  design,  is  loaded  with  a  "c\\\^"  holding 
five  cartridges,  and  when  more  fully  developed  will  be  certain  to  reach  a  high 
standard  of  excellence.  In  its  present  form  the  magazine  is  objectionable,  because 
of  its  interference  with  easy  and  satisfactory-  manipulation.  The  magazine,  placed 
in  such  a  position  through  the  breech  as  to  ])rcscnt  a  similar  appearance  to  that 
in  the  Winchester,  is  seriously  in  the  way,  and  also  detracts  greatly  from  the  sym- 
metry and  beauty  of  the  gun. 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 


253 


QUACKENBUSH  GUNS. 

These  guns,  noted  for  accuracy  and  ornamental  appearance,  are  made  as  a 
combined  firearm  and  air  t^un,  shooting-  a  regular  .22  caliber  cartridge,  TT  shot, 
or  .213^  dart  and  slug.  The  full  length  of  the  gun.  Figure  i,  is  40  inches,  weighs 
7^  pounds,  and  has  an  automatic  cartridge  extractor.     As  a  cartridge  rifle  it  is 


Figure  i. 

as  handy  and  shoots  as  strong  as  those  more  expensive.  It  is  equally  as  perfect 
as  an  air  gun,  and  as  such  it  has  an  accurate  range  of  60  feet,  and  will  shoot  a 
slug  or  shot  with  sufficient  force  to  penetrate  3^ -inch  pine.  The  gun  has  a  steel 
barrel,  rifled.  All  the  parts  are  extra  heavy  and  constructed  of  best  material  to 
stand  continuous  service.    It  is  an  excellent  long  range  air  gun  for  gallery  or  field. 

The  Safety  cartridge  rifle,  Figure  2,  has  a  full  length  of  33  inches  and  weighs 
43^  pounds.  The  caliber  is  .22  for  regular  "B  B"  short,  long,  and  long  rifle  cart- 
ridges. It  has  a  rebounding  lock  and  quick  twist.  It  has  a  rifled  steel  barrel, 
automatic  cartridge  extractor  and  adjustable  rear  sight;  its  stock  is  so  fastened 
to  the  barrel  that  the  two  may  be  easily  and  quickly  separated,  making  the  arm 
handy  to  carry. 

The  Junior  Safety  rifle  weir  is  about  4  pounds.  The  barrel,  breech  block,  sights 
and  operations  of  this  rifle  are  about  the  same  as  in  the  regular  safety  rifle,  Fig- 


Figure  2 

ure  2.  It  has  a  steel,  nickel-plated  skeleton  stock  and  shoulder  rest,  which  can 
be  instantly  detached  for  carrying  in  a  small  space.  The  form  of  the  shoulder 
rest  and  the  manner  in  which  it  is  attached  to  the  frame  makes  a  firm  stock,  and 
one  that  comes  to  the  shoulder  easily. 


254  AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 

REMINGTON  ARMS. 

The  Remington  hammerless  gun  is  exceedingly  strong  and  durable.  The  mechanism, 
which  is  very  simple,  can  be  readily  seen  in  Figure  i,  a  sectional  drawing  of  the  double 
barrel  shot  gun,  automatic  ejector  model.  The  cocking  mechanism  consists  of  hammei  ->. 
cocking  levers,  triggers,  main  and  sear  springs.  In  opening  the  gun,  the  fore-end  engage  > 


with  the  cocking  levers,  which  raises  the  hammers  to  full  cock,  when  the  sears  drop  into 
position.  The  gun  can  be  taken  apart  or  put  together  with  one  or  both  hammers  cocked 
or  uncocked.  This  obviates  trouble  or  the  use  of  special  tools  in  assembling,  and  does 
away  with  the  snapping  of  hammers,  or  putting  the  gun  away  cocked,  as  required  in  some ; 
actions.  The  hammers  can  be  let  down  without  snapping,  by  breaking  down  the  gun,  j 
pushing  forward  the  safety  slide  and  closing  the  action  as  the  triggers  are  pulled.  The  i 
cocking  mechanism  is  so  arranged  that  before  the  gui.  ^an  be  opened  sufficiently  to  admit 


Fieure  3.  I 

of  a  shell  being  inserted  in  the  chamber,  both  hammers   are  cocked   and   the  triggers  are 
locked  automatically. 

To  open  the  gun,  push  the  top  lever  to  the  right ;  this  retracts  the  main  bolt  and 
throws  the  safety  plunger  into  position,  thereby  locking  the  triggeis  securely.  This  action 
being  jxjsitive,  the  i^uu  dnniot  be  ofH-tmlivillutiit  opcraliui^  the.  Siifcly  .'itirfiiniism.     The  sports- 


AMERICAN    SMALL    ARMS 


255 


man  desiring  to  use  the  gun  without  the  automatic  safety,  can,  by  removing  the 
stock,  take  out  the  safety  plunger,  thereby  removing  the  automatic  attachment, 
which  will,  however,  allow  of  the  safety  being  operated  by  the  thumb. 

The  automatic  ejector  is  composed  of  hammer,  sear,  center  sear,  main  and  sear 
springs,  and  is  cocked  by  the  action  of  the  extractor  when  clo^ng  the  gun.  It  is 
operated  when  the  gun  is  fired  by  the  main  spring  moving  forward  and  lifting  the 
ejector  sear  out  of  the  ejector  hammer  notch.  This  allows  the  ejector  hammer  to 
fall  on  the  center  sear,  where  it  remains  until  the  gun  is  nearly  opened,  when  the 


Figure  3. 

joint  check  engages  with  the  center  sear  and  raises  it  out  of  the  ejector  hammer 
notch.  Then  the  ejector  hammer,  moving  forward,  strikes  the  ejector  stem,  caus- 
ing the  fired  shell  to  be  expelled  from  the  gun.  These  guns,  grade  EE  being 
shown  in  Figure  2,  are  made  in  16,  12,  and  10  gauge,  varying  in  weight  from  6^ 
to  10  pounds,  and  in  about  30  grades. 


Figure  4. 


Figure  3   shows  the  No.  i  hammer  double  gun,  a  favorite  style,  made  in  16,  12, 
and  10  gauge,  with  barrels  28.  30,  and  32  inches  in  length,  and  weighing  from  6^ 


256 


AMERICAN    SMALL    ARMS 


to  1034  pounds.     These  guns  are  made  for  nitro  powders,  having  both  barrels 
choke-bored,  and  are  made  in  7  different  grades. 

The  1893  Model  single  barrel  shotgun  is  shown  in  Figure  4.  It  is  made  in  10. 
12,  16,  20,  24,  and  28  gauge,  with  barrels  28,  30,  32,  and  34  inches  in  length,  and 
weighing  from  5->4  to  6^'  pounds.  It  is  choke-bored  and  is  one  of  the  most  jiopu- 
lar  low-priced  guns  on  the  market. 


Figure  5. 


The  No.  6  Juvenile  Model  rifle,  in  .22  or  .32  caliber,  is  shown  in  Figure  5.  It 
is  a  light  weight  rifle,  furnished  with  open  front  and  sear  sights  and  a  tang  peep 
sear.  The  weight  of  this  arm  is  y/2  to  4  pounds  and  the  length  of  barrel  20 
inches. 

The  No.  4  Model  rifle,  in  take-down  style,  made  in  .22  and  .32  caliber,  is  shown 
in  Figure  6.  It  has  a  weight  of  about  4>4  pounds  and  the  barrel  varies  in  length 
from  22>4  to  24  inches. 


m 


Figure  6. 

The  No.  2  Model  rifle,  designed  for  strength  and  simplicity,  is  made  in  .22  to 
.44  caliber,  has  graceful  proportions  and  weighs  from  534  to  6  pounds. 

The  No.  7  Model  rifle,  shown  in  Figure  7,  is  one  of  the  latest  models,  and  is  a 
decided  departure  from  the  usual  style.  Its  attractive  lines,  beautiful  design  and 
finish  ai)peal  to  all  especially  interested  in  target  and  sporting  rifles.  It  is  fitted 
with  especial  Lvman  peep  rear  sight  and  licach  coml)ination  front  sight,  and  is 
made  with  a  view  of  obtaining  the  utmost  accuracy  under  the  most  scientific  con- 
ditions. It  is  especially  popular  as  a  gallery  rifle.  It  is  made  in  .22  to  .44  caliber, 
weighs  5  to  C)yl  pounds,  with  barrels  24.  2().  or  2S<  inches  in  length. 

The  No,  5  Model  rifle  is  adapted  to  high  power  smokeless  amnumition.  It  has 
a  round  smokeless  steel  barrel  and  is  provided  with  sporting  front  and  rear  sights. 
It  is  made  in  calibers  .30-30  smokeless.  7"/n,.  .30  U.S.  Army,  .303  r.ritish..32-40 


AMERICAN    SMALL    ARMS 


267 


high  pressure,  .^2  Winchester  special  and  .38-55  high  presure.     This  arm  weighs 
from  7  to  7/4  pounds  and  has  barrels  24,  26,  or  28  inches  in  length. 


Figure  7. 


The  sporting  and  target  rifle,  No.  3,  shown  in  Figure  8,  is  especially  designed  for 
long  range  hunting  and  target  purposes,  requiring  the  use  of  heavy  charges.  It 
has  a  solid  breech  block,  with  direct  rear  support,  convenient  side  lever  action  and 
rebounding  hammer,  so  that  the  arm  always  stands  with  the  trigger  in  the  safety 
notch,  rendering  premature  discharge  impossible.  It  is  chambered  for  the  new 
styles  of  straight  shells,  as  well  as  other  popular  sizes,  and,  making  a  flatter  tra- 
jectory than  many  other  rifles,  it  is  excellent  for  target  and  sporting  uses.  This 
Model  is  made  in  calibers  from  .22  to  ,50,  weighs  from  8  to  10  pounds,  and  has 


Figure  8. 

barrels  from  26  to  30  inches  in  length.  It  is  also  made  with  a  special  steel  barrel 
adapted  to  the  popular  high  power  cartridges  in  calibers  from  .30  to  ,40, 

The  No,  3  Match  rifle,  the  Model  "  B  "  of  which  is  shown  in  Figure  9,  has 
gained  much  popularity  in  short  and  mid  range  matches  on  account  of  its  ex- 
treme accuracy,  pleasing  lines  and  fine  workmanship.  This  rifle  is  also  made  in 
the  mid  range  Creedmoor  Model  for  use  from  200  to  600  yards,  and  has  short 
vernier,  graduated  and  wind  gauge  sights,  with  spirit  level. 

The  Schuetzen  special  target  rifle,  shown  in  Figure  10,  is  a  modification  of  the 
No,  3  rifle,  the  falling  breech  block  being  actuated  by  a  special  combined  trigger 
guard  and  lever  of  new  pattern.  This  rifle  was  designed  by  some  of  our  most 
advanced  target  experts  and  is  a  perfect  arm  of  its  class.  It  has  a  specially  con- 
structed set  trigger  finger  guard,  and  vernier  wind  gauge  rear  sight,  and  is  made 
for  the  popular  target  cartridges  from  ,28  to  ,38  calibers. 


258 


AMERICAN    SMALL    ARMS 


The  Remington-Lee  sporting  rifle,  shown  in  Figure  ii,  was  designed  to  em- 
body the  advantages  possessed  by  the  mihtary  bolt  system  magazine  rifle.     The 


Figure  9. 

enormous  velocity,  great  penetration,  flat  trajectory  and  increased  range  possessed 
by  this  rifle,  with  the  following  desirable  features,  recommend  it  to  sportsmen : 
(a)  By  half  cocking  the  piece  the  mechanism  becomes  locked,  and  in  this  con- 


Figure  10. 


dition  its  safety  from  premature  discharge  and  the  impossibility  of  accidentally 
opening  the  gun  makes  it  particularly  desirable  for  carrying  on  horseback  or  on 
the  trail. 

(b)  Each  rifle  is  furnished  with  four  magazines  holding  five  cartridges  each, 
which  will  enable  the  shooter  to  discharge  twenty  shots  in  an  incredibly  short 
space  of  time  and  without  stopping  to  replenish  the  magazines. 


Figure  11. 


(c)  By  pressing  the  magazine  catch,  in  front  of  the  trigger,  the  magazine  and 
contents  can  ])v  instantly  removed  witlunit  the  possibility  of  a  premature  exjilo- 
sion.  which  fre(iuently  occurs  where  the  cartridges  have  to  be  worked  out  by  the 
manipulation  of  the  action. 


AMERICAN    SMALL    ARMS 


259 


This  arm  has  a  half  pistol  grip,  improved  sporting  sights,  a  round  barrel  made 
of  special  smokeless  steel,  and  is  adapted  to  the  popular  small  bore  calibers  from 
236  to  .40.     The  weight  varies  from  6^  to  8/2  pounds. 

The  Remington-Lee  small  bore  magazine  rifle,  a  sectional  view  of  which  is  shown 
in  Figure  12,  the  magazine  being  charged  and  in  position,  is  of  the  well  known 
bolt  type,  adopted  by  military  organizations  throughout  the  world  on  account  of 
its  simplicity,  durability,  and  ease  of  manipulation.  The  celebrated  Lee  rifle,  in 
use  by  the  Navy  Department,  has  been  altered  and  adapted  to  the  modern  smoke- 
less high  power  ammunition,  giving  great  penetration,  velocity  and  flat  trajectory 
with  extreme  accuracy.  In  addition  to  the  bolt  locking  mechanism  on  the  large 
caliber  Lee,  this  arm  has  double  locking  shoulders  on  the  bolt  head,  and  is  supplied 
with  four  magazines  of  five  cartridges  each,  which  can  be  placed  in  the  action  in 
the  same  space  of  time  as  is  ordinarily  consumed  by  the  insertion  of  one  cartridge 
in  magazine  arms  of  some  other  types. 


Fteure  13. 


The  Remington-Lee  magazine  military  rifle,  shown  in  Figure  13,  has  a  20  inch 
special  smokeless  steel  barrel— total  length  49^^  inches  and  weighs  83^  pounds. 
It  is  made  for  the  .30  caliber  Government  cartridge  shown  in  Figure  16,  the  7™/™ 
Spanish  Mauser  cartridge  shown  in  Figure  17,  the  7.65 "Vm  Belgian  Mauser  car- 
tridge shown  in  Figure  18,  and  6"^/™  U.  S.  Navy  cartridge  shown  in  Figure  19. 
This  rifle  is  also  made  up  in  a  special  military  model,  targeted  for  long  range 
match  shooting. 

The  Remington-Lee  carbine,  shown  in  Figure  14.  has  a  total  length  of  39^^ 
inches  and  a  20  inch  barrel  and  weighs  7^  pounds.  It  is  adapted  to  the  same 
cartridges  as  the  small  bore  rifle. 

The  Remington-Lee  magazine  military  rifle  used  in  the  United  States  Navy, 
Great  Britain.  China,  and  other  countries,  has  a  total  length  of  52  inches,  weighs 


260 


AMERICAN    SMALL    ARMS 


8^  pounds,  and  has  a  caliber  of  .43  or  .45  Spanish.  It  is  a  single  breech  loader 
that  can  be  instantaneously  changed  into  a  perfectly  safe  magazine  arm,  giving  an 
unequaled  rapidity  of  fire  when  the  time  taken  in  recharging  the  magazine  is  con- 
sidered. It  has  a  fewer  number  of  component  parts  than  many  other  arms  made. 
Every  part  is  simple  and  strong.  The  rifle  weighs  854  pounds  without  bayonet 
and  can  be  used  as  a  sporting  arm.  The  breech  system  can  be  mounted  or  dis- 
mounted in  ten  seconds.  The  magazine  may  be  attached  or  detached  in  one 
second.     This  is  a  modern  form  of  magazine,  and  one  of  the  best  where  continuous 


Figure  13. 

rapidity  for  many  shots  is  required.  It  has  been  imitated  or  adopted  in  many 
modern  forms  of  military  guns.  Cartridges  are  carried  in  the  magazine,  attached 
or  detached,  in  the  safest  possible  form,  and  under  the  best  conditions  to  resist 
wear  or  deformation  in  transportation  in  the  field.  The  Remington-Lee  magazine 
rifle  is  one  of  the  few  military  repeating  arms  which  has  demonstrated  its 
superiority  in  rapidity  with  accuracy  as  a  repeater  over  its  execution  as  a  single 
loader,  in  cases  where  the  magazine  must  be  recharged. 


Figure  14. 


The  new  Model  small  bore  military  rifle,  shown  in  Figure  15,  designed  for 
smokeless  powder,  is  noted  for  simpncity,  strength,  durability,  and  rapidity  of  fire. 
It  was  produced  to  meet  the  urgent  demand  for  a  high  power  rifle  of  the  simple 
Remington  system,  with  which  the  armies  of  South  and  Central  America  are  so 
perfectly  familiar,  and  to  whom  the  complicated  magazine  arms  have  been  a  con- 
stant source  of  trouble  and  danger.  This  model  has  a  barrel  30  inches  long  and 
weighs,  without  the  bayonet.  Sy^  pounds.     The  bayonet  weighs  i  pound.     It  is 


AMERICAN    SMALL    ARMS 


261 


adapted  to  the  .30  caliber  Government,  the  7'V.nCahber  Mauser,  Models  Spanish 
and  Brazilian,  and  the  /.GsVm  Delphian  Mauser  cartridp^es. 


Figure  15. 

The  Remington  small  bore  carbine,  shown  in  Figure  20,  is  the  same  in  mechan- 
ism as  the  Remington  small  bore  rifle,  Figure  15,  except  that  it  has  reduced  length 
of  barrel  adapted  for  the  use  of  cavalry  or  mounted  police  and  also  for  infantry 
use  in  the  thick  underbrush.  The  total  length  of  the  arm  is  36  inches,  with  a 
20  inch  barrel.  It  weighs  7  pounds  and  is  adapted  to  the  cartridges  shown  in 
Figures  16,  17,  and  18. 


M 


Figure  16.  Figure  17.  Figure  18.  Figure  19. 

The  Remington  auxiliary  rifle  barrels  are  now  largely  used  and  are  popular. 
They  extend  the  entire  length  of  the  shotgun  barrel,  and  are  held  firmly  in  place 
by  a  thumb  nut  at  the  muzzle.  They  shoot  accurately  up  to  500  yards,  and  can 
be  inserted  into  any  shotgun  and  taken  out  with  perfect  ease,  thus  making  the  most 
desirable  combined  shotgun  and  rifle.     They  weigh  about  two  pounds. 


262  A  M  E  R  I  C  A  N    S  M  A  L  L    A  R  M  S 

The  Remington  Spanish  Model  .43  and  .50  caliber  rifles  are  of  the  original 
Remington  system  and  more  than  a  million  of  them  have  been  manufactured  and 


Figure  20. 
^old.     This  model  has  a  total  length  of  50  inches  and  weighs  9^4  pounds.     The 


Figure  21. 

carbine  of  this  model  has  the  same  action  as  the  rifle,  a  total  length  of  35>{>  inches, 
and  weighs  7  pounds. 


Figure  22. 
Tlie  Remington  light  "  Baby  "  carbine,  .44  caliber,  has  a  total  length  of  35>{' 
inches  and  weighs  5^  pounds,  about  double  that  of  the  Army  revolver.     For 
sporting,  police  and  saddle  use  it  is  a  very  desirable  arm. 


AMERICAN    SMALL    ARMS  263 

The  Remington  new  model  target  pistol,  shown  in  Figure  21,  is  designed  to 
meet  the  demand  of  pistol  experts  and  shooting  galleries  for  a  well-balanced, 
accurate,  and  firmly  adjusted  arm.  The  breech  mechanism  combines  simplicity, 
convenience  and  durability.  The  barrel  is  10  inch,  half-octagon,  carefully  bored, 
rifled  and  finished.  The  finely  finished  mehanism  insures  a  uniform  trigger  pull 
of  2M  to  3  pounds.  The  arm  is  provided  with  an  ivory  bead  front  sight,  and 
adjustable  wind  gauge  rear  sight,  and  weiehs  ?^^  pounds. 

The  Remington  double  derringer,  shown  in  Figure  22.  is  the  only  double  der- 
ringer now  in  the  market,  and  is  most  compact  and  reliable.  It  is  double  shot, 
.41  caliber,  rim  fire,  and  weighs  11  ounces.     See  Lee  Straight  Pull  Rifle. 

REMINGTON  THREE-BARRELLED  RIFLE. 

This  arm,  designed  by  Mr.  G.  R.  Remington,  has  a  fixed  chamber  closed  by  a 
movable  breech-block,  which  rotates  about  a  horizontal  axis  at  90  degrees  to  the 
axis  of  the  barrel,  lying  below  the  axis  of  the  barrel  and  in  front.  The  locks  com- 
plete are  contained  in  the  breech-block,  which  being  lowered  out  of  the  way  by 
the  tang  on  its  lower  end,  permits  the  insertion  of  the  cartridges  into  the  cham- 
bers through  a  perforated  extractor  plate.  This  plate  being  moved  bv  the  arm 
on  the  pivot  of  the  breech  block,  withdraws  the  empty  shells  when  the  block  is 
fully  opened.  A  weak  spring-catch  in  the  stock  holds  up  the  tang  of  the  breech- 
block when  the  piece  is  closed,  and  affords  the  only  means  of  locking  it. 

ROBERTS  GUN. 

This  rifle,  resembling  the  Martini-Henry  in  some  respects,  has  a  fixed  chamber 
closed  by  a  movable  breech-block,  which  rotates  about  a  horizontal  axis  at  90 
degrees  to  the  axis  of  the  barrel,  lying  above  the  axis  of  the  barrel  and  in  rear, 
being  moved  from  above.  The  piece  is  opened  by  raising  a  hooked  catch-lever,  at 
^.he  end  of  the  tang  of  the  breech-block,  out  of  its  notch  in  the  tang  of  the  receiver. 
This  depresses  the  forward  end  of  the  block  so  as  to  expose  the  chamber.  The  re- 
action of  the  breech-block  spring  lying  underneath  the  block  throws  up  the  front 
of  the  block  sufficiently  to  keep  the  cartridge  from  falling  out  of  the  chamber  be- 
fore the  breech  is  fully  closed.  The  closing  is  done  by  returning  the  lever  to  its 
place,  or  automatically  by  cocking  the  piece.  The  back  of  the  hammer  in  the 
latter  case  presses  against  the  end  of  the  slot  in  the  tang  of  the  breech-block  in 
which  it  plays,  and  so  raises  the  front  of  the  block  into  place.  The  piece  is  locked 
by  the  position  of  the  breech-block,  which  is  also  kept  in  place  by  the  engaging 
of  the  hook  of  the  catch-lever  with  a  corresponding  notch  in  the  tang  of  the  re- 
ceiver.    Extraction  and  ejection  are  accompanied  by  a  bent  lever  pivoted  to  the 


264  AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 

side  of  the  receiver  below  the  chamber,  and  struck  by  the  breech-block  face  in  its 
descent. 

ROBERTSON  RIFLE. 

This  breech-loadin<]^  arm  has  a  fixed  chamber  closed  by  a  movable  breech-block, 
which  rotates  about  a  horizontal  axis  at  90  degrees  to  the  axis  of  the  barrel,  lying 
below  the  axis  of  the  barrel  and  in  front — being  moved  from  below  by  a  lever. 
r.y  depressing  the  lever  the  block  is  ])ulled  down  by  a  link  connecting  the  two. 
By  reversing  the  lever  the  block  is  raised  into  place  against  the  end  of  the  barrel, 
and  is  locked  by  the  middle  joint  of  the  linked  combination  rising  above  the  line 
joining  the  other  two,  and  causing  the  strain  upon  the  block  from  the  discharge  to 
tend  towards  l)ringing  the  lever  more  closely  into  place.  Extraction  and  ejection 
are  accomplished  by  a  small  straight  lever,  swinging  on  a  center  below  that  of  the 
block  and  struck  by  the  block,  during  the  opening,  near  the  center  of  motion. 

RUMSEY  GUN. 
This  breech-loading  rifle  has  a  fixed  chamber  closed  by  a  movable  breech-block, 
which  slides  in  the  line  of  the  barrel  by  indirect  action,  being  moved  by  levers 
from  below.  The  arm  resembles  in  its  general  features  the  Winchester.  Its 
peculiarity  consists  in  having  two  magazine-tubes,  one  on  each  side  of  the  barrel 
and  beneath  it.  From  these  the  cartrid?:es  are  fed  alternately  into  the  correspond- 
ing carriers,  which  are  moved  up  and  down  by  levers  operated  by  a  sliding-rod. 
This  rod  is  drawn  to  and  from  the  operator  by  two  thumb-pieces,  one  of  which, 
for  the  right  hand,  is  within  the  trigger  guard,  and  the  other  lies  along  the  barrel 
in  a  position  readily  accessible  by  the  fingers  of  the  left  hand  when  supporting  the 
piece  in  the  natural  position  of  firing.  The  mechanism  for  communicating  this 
reciprocal  motion  to  the  carrier  levers  consists  mainly  of  an  oscillating  lever  lying 
between  the  other  two,  and  its  connections  in  the  form  of  springs,  stops,  and  pins, 
which  are  designed  for  directing  the  stroke  on  each  of  its  sides  alternately. 

RUSSELL  MAGAZINE  GUN. 

This  arm  contains  many  features  of  novelty.  The  breech-closing  bolt  operates 
by  a  handle  preferably  at  the  side  of  the  arm  as  in  other  bolt  guns,  but  instead  of 
a  partial  rotation  of  the  bolt  in  locking  and  unlocking,  the  force  applied  to  the 
handle  is  at  all  times  in  a  direction  nearly  ])arallel  with  the  lx>re  of  tlie  barrel.  The 
locking  is  effected  by  a  cross-shaft  in  the  bolt  a  little  longer  than  the  diameter  of 
the  bolt,  having  cam-shaped  ends  which  extend  into  seats  in  the  receiver.  In 
opening  the  breech  these  cam  projections  are  turned  by  the  first  movement  of  the 
handle,  which  is  a  ])ivotal  movement,  until  the  bolt  is  unlocked,  when  a  further 
backward  movement  of  the  handle  gives  a  powerful  cam  action  to  start  the  cart- 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS  265 

ridge,  and  at  the  same  time  slightly  starts  the  firing-pin  backward.  The  final  clos- 
ing movement  has  the  same  powerful  action  to  seat  the  cartridge  in  its  chamber. 
The  magazine  feeds  the  cartridge  sidewise,  either  up  through  the  bottom  of  the 
receiver,  as  in  the  Lee  gun,  or  at  the  side  of  the  receiver,  and  in  the  latter  case  a 
swinging  pusher  forces  the  upper  one  of  the  column  of  cartridges  sidewise  into 
the  receiver  in  front  of  the  bolt. 

RUSSELL-LIVERMORE  GUN. 

This  magazine  arm  embodies  the  joint  inventions  of  Major  W.  R.  Livermore 
and  Captain  A.  H.  Russell,  United  States  Army,  in  improvements  in  magazines 
and  breech  movements.  The  barrel  and  breech-bolt  are  the  same  as  on  the  Lee- 
Speed,  and  the  arm  is  adapted  to  that  cartridge.  The  receiver  in  all  essential 
features  is  also  the  same.  The  gun  has  a  cut-off  identical  with  that  of  the  Lee- 
Speed  and  uses  the  Kussell  metallic  feed  case.  This  case  is  constructed  of  a  sin- 
gle piece  of  bent  sheet  metal,  which  will  contain  just  enough  cartridges  to  fill  the 
magazine  of  this  gun,  from  which  the  magazine  can  be  recharged  as  rapidly  as 
a  single  cartridge  could  be  placed  in  the  receiver.  These  feed  cases  are  little  if 
any  more  costly  that  paper  boxes,  and  are  to  be  thrown  away  when  empty. 

RUSSIAN  BERDAN  RIFLE. 

This  Americanized  breech-loadinp:  arm  has  a  fixed  chamber  closed  by  a  mov- 
able breech-block,  which  rotates  about  a  horizontal  axis  at  ninety  degrees  to  the 
axis  of  the  barrel,  lying  above  the  axis  of  the  barrel,  and  in  front.  The  piece  is 
opened  b}'  drawing  back  the  locking-bolt  to  its  full  extent,  thereby  cocking  the 
piece,  and  then  throwing  the  breech-block  upward  and  forward  by  the  handle  on 
its  side.  It  is  closed  by  shutting  the  breech-block,  and  is  locked  by  the  friction  of 
the  rear  face  of  the  breech-block  against  the  recoil-shoulder  on  the  locking-bolt 
guide,  against  which  the  longitudinal  motion  of  the  hinge-strap  slide,  to  which  the 
block  is  attached,  allows  it  bodily  to  slide  under  the  influence  of  the  discharge.  It 
is  also  held  in  place  by  the  entrance  of  the  locking-bolt  into  the  counter-bore  of 
the  firing-pin  hole  when  the  piece  is  fired.  In  drawing  back  the  locking-bolt  to 
open  the  piece  it  compresses  the  spiral  mainspring  which  surrounds  it,  and  riding 
over  the  point  of  the  spring-sear  is  caught  by  it  and  retained  against  the  tension 
of  the  mainspring  when  the  support  of  the  hand  is  withdrawn.  When  released 
through  the  trigger  in  the  usual  way  it  is  impelled  against  the  firing-pin.  and  so 
discharges  the  piece.  Extraction  is  accomplished  by  an  extractor  swinging  on  the 
joint-screw  and  struck  above  its  center  of  motion  by  the  forward  end  of  the 
breech-block  near  the  completion  of  its  movement  in  opening.  Ejection  is  caused 
by  accelerating  the  movement  of  the  extractor  by  the  ejector-spring. 


266 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 


SAVAGE   ARMS. 

It  is  the  aim  of  the  Savage  Anns  Company  to  manufacture  the  most  perfect 
and  best  finished  rifie  on  the  marlvct.  Sucli  parts  as  have  been  improved  in 
the  new  model  are  so  constructed  that  they  are  inter- 
changeable in  the  Model  1895,  thereby  making  it  possible, 
Avhen  it  is  desired,  for  the  owners  of  1895  models 
to  in-ocure  the  improved  parts  and  thus  change 
their  1S95  models  into  the  present  improved  arm, 
Figure  1.  The  Savage  rifle  is  a  six-shot  repeater  of 
ligiit  weight.  The  day  has  passed  when  sportsmen  re- 
signedly overload  themselves  with  heavy  guns,  when 
every  ounce,  toward  the  end  of  a  long  tramp,  feels  like 
pounds.  The  projecting  hammer  is  eliminated.  The  ham- 
mer, once  the  most  ornamental  part  of  the  gun  and  the 
pride  of  the  gunsmith,  has  had  its  day,  as  well  as  its 
countless  victims.  The  latest  and  best  shot  guns  and 
revolvers  are  hammerless.  The  demand  is  for  a  hammer- 
less  rifle. 

The  action  is  easily  dismounted  and  assembled.  One  of 
the  many  valuable  features  is  the  concentric  arm  of  the 
finger-lever  which  operates  the  working  portions  of  the 
rifle,  and  at  all  times  protects  the  trigger  from  being 
accidentally  operated.  Another  point  of  superiority  is 
the  operation  of  the  finger-lever,  which  on  its  backward 
movement  comi)resses  the  main  spring  and  cocks  the  en- 
closed hammer,  thus  pressing  the  rifle  to  the  shoulder  and 
steadying  the  aim.  The  movement  of  the  finger-lever  is 
short,  and  to  operate  it  requires  little  power.  The  maga- 
zine is  not  a  tube  nor  a  box,  but  is  circular  in  form,  and  is 
located  within  the  protecting  steel  walls  of  the  receiver, 
giving  perfect  imnninity  from  accidents  occasioned  through 
the  bullet  of  one  cartridge  impinging  upon  the  ])rimer  of 
another;  this  arrangement  insures  a  i)erfect  balance  of  the 
arm  without  reference  to  the  number  of  the  cartridges  in 
the  magazine.  Another  important  feature  of  the  rifle  is 
the  autonmtic  cut-off— a  simple  device  which  retains  the 
magazine  cartridges  in  reserve  when  the  arm  is  used  as  a 
single  loader;  on  omitting  to  })lace  a  cartridge  in  the 
breech  opening,  the  autoinntic  cut-off  allows  a  cartridge 
from  the  magazine  to  be  fed  up  into  the  chamber.  The 
arm  is  a  combined  rapid-firing  magazine  and  single-load- 
ing rifle. 

Six  different  cartridges,  shown  in  Figure  2,  each  adajited 


FIGURE      I. 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 


267 


to  a  different  use,  can  be  fired  in  the  same  rifle  without  any  change  or  adjust- 
ment. The  rifle  is  equally  adapted  for  killing  the  largest  as  well  as  the  small- 
est game,  and  shoots  well  at  either  short  or  long  range.  Numbers  4  and 
G  are  used  for  short  ranges  and  in  places  where  it  would  not  be  safe  to  fire  full 
charges. 


mj^^mw^^^^^^m 


Regular  Smokeless  Powder  Cartridge. 


Expanding  Smokeless  Powder  Cartridge. 


Regular  Bullet. 
Lead,  with  Nickel  Cover. 


Expanding  Blllet. 

Lead,  with  Partial  Nickel 

Cover. 


■§^^m 


Black  Powdkr  Cartridge. 


Miniature  Smokeless  Cartridge. 
Grooved  Shell. 


Regular  Bullet. 
Lead,  with  Nickel  Cover. 


Miniature  Bullet, 
Lead. 


Miniature  Metal  Covered  Cartridge. 


Paper  Patched  Bullet. 
Lead. 


MiN.  Metal  Cov.   Bullet. 
Lead,  with  Metal  Cover. 


The  ejection  of  the  discharged  shell  is  positive,  the  shell  being  thrown  to 
the  right  of  the  operator,  the  operation  being  accomplished  by  moving  the 
lever  downward.  If  the  operator  desires  to  use  the  gun  as  a  single  loader,  he 
must  place  a  cartridge  in  the  breech  opening  and  then  bring  the  lever  back- 
ward ;  this  movement  carries  that  cartridge  into  the  chamber,  breeches  up 
and  cocks  the  rifle  ready  to  fire.  If  the  oi)erator  omits  to  place  a  cartridge  in 
the  breech  opening,  and  the  lever  is  moved  backward,  a  cartridge  will  be 
automatically  taken  from  the  magazine  and  carried  forward  by  the  breech- 


268  AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 

bolt  into  the  chamber— the  rifle  being  then  breeched  up  and  cocked  ready  for 
use.  The  change  from  a  single  loader  to  a  magazine  rifle  is  always  automatic. 
The  construction  of  the  rifle  is  simple,  and  the  action  is  always  reliable;  all 
parts  being  made  to  guage,  are  interchangeable.  The  rifle  is  especially  de- 
signed and  built  to  use  the  strongest  grades  of  high  velocity  smokeless  rifle 
})o\vder. 


A.  Finger-lever;  B.  Catch  on  automatic  cut-off;  C.  Auto- 
matic cut-off ;  D.  Breech  opening ;  E.  Breech-bolt;  F.  Ex- 
tractor; G.  Magazine  carrier,  H.  Projection  on  receiver  for 
finger-lever;  K.  Sear;  L.  Retractor;  K  Hammer;  0. 
Main  Spring;  P.  Sear  Screw ;  R.  Trigger;  S.  Trigger  safety 
projection;  U.  Recoil  shoulder;  V.  Trigger  and  lever  lock; 
Y.  Indicator. 

FIGURE      3. 

Figure  3,  shows  the  action  open  and  Figure  4,  shows  the  action  closed. 
The  magazine  is  charged  wdiile  the  system  is  open.  Open  the  flnger-lever  A 
to  the  fullest  extent.  Insert  the  cartridges  into  the  magazine  by  pushing  them 
(head  to  rear)  down,  and  under  the  catch  B  on  the  automatic  cut-off  C.    The 


FIGURE      4. 

thumb  or  fore-finger  of  the  right  hand  should  be  used  in  this  o])eration.     The 
capacity  of  the  magazine  is  five  cartridges.    A  sixth  cartridge  can  be  inserted 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS  269 

in  the  breech  opening  D  above  the  catch  B.  On  closino;  the  finger-lever  A  the 
cartridge  in  the  breech-opening  D  will  be  carried  forward  by  the  breech-bolt  E 
into  the  chamber  of  the  barrel.  The  rifle  is  then  ready  to  fire.  When  the  ham- 
mer is  at  full  cock,  the  indicator  Y  projects  above  the  breech-bolt ;  when  the 
rifle  is  fired  or  the  hammer  is  down,  the  indicator  is  flush  with  the  top  of  the 
breech-bolt. 

THE  RIFLE  AS  A  SINGLE  LOADER. 

The  act  of  placing  a  cartridge  into  the  breech  opening/)  forces  the  automatic 
cut-off  C  back  into  its  recess  in  the  receiver,  retiring  the  uppermost  cartridge 
in  the  magazine  below  the  line  of  movement  of  the  breech-bolt  E,  so  that  only 
the  cartridge  in  the  breech  opening  will  be  engaged  by  the  breech-bolt  on  its 
forward  travel. 

THE  RIFLE  AS  A  MAGAZINE  GUN. 

If  the  operator  does  not  j)lace  a  cartridge  in  the  breech  opening  D,  and  there 
are  one  or  more  cartridges  in  the  magazine,  the  breech-bolt  E  on  its  forward 
travel  will  engage  and  carry  forward  into  the  barrel  chamber  the  uppermost 
cartridge  in  the  magazine.  The  automatic  cut-off  Chas  on  its  face  a  projec- 
tion jT  which  ejects  the  fired  shells,  after  being  withdrawn  by  the  extractor  F 
on  the  breech-bolt  E. 

LOADING  THE  MAGAZINE,   MAGAZINE  ACTION. 

If  it  is  desired  to  have  the  cartridges  in  the  magazine  and  none  in  the  cham- 
ber of  the  barrel,  load  one  or  more  cartridges  into  the  magazine,  press  with 
the  finger  of  the  left  hand  the  automatic  cut-off  C'back  into  its  recess,  keeping 
it  back  while  the  finger-lever  A  operates  the  breech-bolt  J5J  forward  and  beyond 
the  point  of  engagement  with  the  cartridge  head  in  the  magazine.  Complete 
the  closing  of  the  action.  When  the  action  is  closed,  or  the  finger  pressing 
back  the  automatic  cut-off  C  into  its  recess,  the  numerals  on  the  magazine 
carrier  G  show,  through  the  opening  in  the  receiver,  the  number  of  cartridges 
contained  in  the  magazine.  The  breech-bolt  E  is  positively  operated  by  the 
finger-lever  A,  without  any  intermediate  mechanism,  and  when  closed  ready 
for  firing,  is  immovably  locked  by  the  finger-lever  A  resting  on  a  solid  projec- 
tion at  H  in  the  receiver.  The  recoil  of  the  discharge  is  supported  at  U  and  is 
in  the  direct  line  of  the  strain.  The  breech-bolt  ^  carries  the  extractor  Fy 
retractor  L,  hammer  N,  main  spring  0,  and  indicator  Y. 

FIRING  AND  SAFETY  MECHANISM. 

The  firing  mechanism  is  operated  as  follows :  If  the  rifle  has  been  fired,  the 
act  of  opening  the  finger-lever  yl,  and  thereby  the  breech-bolt  E,  rocks  the 
retractor  L  by  engagement  w^ith  the  sear  pin  P,  and  the  hammer  N  (with  the 
firing  pin)  is  positively  retracted  and  held  back  from  the  face  of  the  breech- 
bolt  E.  The  closing  movement  of  the  breech-bolt  brings  the  hammer  N  in 
engagement  with  the  face  of  the  sear  K,  compressing  the  main  spring  0,  and 
the  rifle  is  fullv  cocked. 


270  AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 

PREMATURE  EXPLOSIONS  ARE  IMPOSSIBLE. 

The  firing  mechanism  can  be  placed  in  an  uncocked  position  by  holding  back 
the  trigger  R  while  closing  the  finger-lever  A  The  hammer  N  will  in  that 
case  pass  over,  and  not  engage  with  the  face  of  the  sear  K.  This  should 
always  be  done  when  laying  the  rifle  aside,  and  the  trigger  should  not  be 
sna])ped  when  the  chamber  of  the  barrel  is  empty.  The  action  can  be  locked 
by  pushing  forward  the  lock  V,  which  locks  the  trigger  and  lever.  The  indica- 
tor Y  shows  the  position  of  the  firing  mechanism 

TO  DISMOUNT  THE  RIFLE. 

It  will  not  be  found  necessary  to  dismount  the  entire  mechamsm  for  the 
purpose  of  cleaning  the  rifle.  When  the  butt-stock  is  removed,  most  of  the 
mechanism  will  be  in  plain  view  and  can  be  oiled  without  further  dismounting. 
If  necessary  the  magazine  mechanism  can  be  removed  independently  of  the 
other  parts.  To  dismount— Remove  the  butt-  plate,  the  butt-stock  screw  and 
butt-stock;  open  the  finger-lever  to  the  fullest  extent;  remove  the  trigger 
spring-screw,  trigger  spring,  bolt-stop  screw  and  bolt-stop ;  remove  the  finger- 
lever,  bushing  screw,  push  out  the  finger-lever  bushing ;  displace  the  finger- 
lever  at  the  pivot  joint;  withdraw  the  breech-bolt;  remove  the  trigger-pin, 
punching  the  same  out  from  left  to  right;  remove  the  sear  screw;  take  out  the 
sear  and  trigger ;  take  out  the  finger-lever,  remove  the  trigger  and  lever-lock  ; 
remove  the  fore-stock  screw  and  fore-stock,  unscrew  the  magazine  spindle 
screw  and  remove  it  free  from  the  receiver,  remove  the  magazine  carrier  and 
magazine  spindle,  and  then  remove  the  automatic  cut-off  and  spring. 

TO  DISMOUNT  THE  BREECH-BOLT 

Remove  the  hammer  bushing  screw,  pull  out  the  hammer  with  the  main 
spring,  hammer  indicator  washer  and  bushing,  turning  the  hammer  to  clear 
the  indicator,  punch  out  the  firing  pin  securing  pin,  unscrew  the  firing  pin  and 
remove  the  retractor  screw.  Punch  out  the  extractor  pin  from  top  to  bot- 
tom ;  the  extractor  will  then  be  free.  Punch  out  the  hammer  indicator  pin  and 
the  indicator  will  then  be  free.  To  separate  the  magazine  spindle  and  the 
magazine  carrier,  pull  the  magazine  spindle  out  of  the  magazine  carrier ;  the 
magazine  can  then  be  removed. 

Mr.  Arthur  Savage,  the  inventor,  is  seen  in  Figure  5,  firing  the  Savage 
magazine  rifle  as  a  single  loader  with  the  following  parts  of  the  mechanism 
taken  out :— Magazine  carrier,  magazine  spindle,  magazine  spring,  magazine 
Kj)indle  screw,  automatic  cut-off,  automatic  cut-off  spring,  retractor,  re- 
tractor screw,  trigger  spring,  trigger  s})ring  screw,  bolt  stop,  bolt  stop 
screw,  trigger  and  lever  lock.  These  parts  constitute  nearly  one  half  the 
mechanism.  The  recoil  is  so  slight  that  the  rifle  can  be  fired  without  the  sup- 
port of  the  fore  and  butt  stocks. 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 


271 


FIGURE       5. 


TO  ASSEMBLE   THE  IJIFLE. 

Replace  the  parts  in  the  reverse  order  from  that  given  for  dismounting,  keep- 
ing in  mind  the  following  points ;— Replace  the  automatic  cut-off  and  the 
spring.  Replace  the  magazine  carrier,  the  magazine  spindle,  and  the  maga- 
zine spring  together,  and  give  tension  to  the  magazine  carrier  by  turning 
the  spindle,  with  a  screw-driver,  from  the  right  to  left.  Insert  the  spindle 
screw.  Do  not  give  too  high  a  tension  to  the  magazine  spring,  as  it  will  make 
the  loading  of  cartridges  into  the  magazine  unnecessarily  hard.  In  replacing 
the  retractor  in  the  breech-bolt,  be  sure  that  the  retractor  is  in  retracting  posi- 
tion, before  replacing  the  hammer  and  breech-bolt.  The  model  1895  has  a 
retractor  spring.  Owing  to  the  increased  pressure  of  smokeless  powder,  it  has 
beed  found  impracticable  to  disconnect  the  barrel  from  the  receiver  to  make  a 
take  down.  All  the  strength  possible  is  required  at  this  junction.  Take 
downs  made  on  this  principle  very  soon  become  loose,  making  the  rifle  useless. 
By  removing  the  butt  stock  from  the  Savage  rifle,  as  shown  in  Figure  6,  the 


arm  can  be  packed  in  a  trunk  33  inches  long,  inside  measurement.  To  remove 
the  butt  stock,  unscrew  and  remove  the  butt  plate,  loosen  the  stock  screw, 
then  quickly  draw  the  stock  back  away  from  the  receiver.    By  opening  the 


272 


AMERICAN    SMALL  ARMS 


lever,  the  rifle  is  made  shorter.    Fi^re  7,  illustrates  a  rear  view  of  the  maga- 
zine, empty  and  full,  showing  the  position  of  the  cartridges  in  the  magazine. 


Empty.  Full. 

FIGURE       7. 

The  Savage  military  rifle  has  the  same  action  as  the  sporting  rifle,  but  is 
fitted  with  the  usual  military  fore  stock,  bands  a,nd  bayonet.  The  butt  plate 
and  sights  are  also  of  a  military  design,  while  the  barrel  is  twenty-eight  inches 
in  length.  This  rifle  embodies  the  following  essential  points  of  excellence,  viz.: 
Safety,  certainty  of  action,  ease  of  manipulation,  simplicity  arising  from  few 
parts,  less  conditions  required  to  load  and  operate  the  mechanism  than  any 
other  magazine  rifle,  and  great  durability.  The  breech-bolt  is  in  one  piece 
strongly  supported  at  both  ends ;  the  recoil  is  taken  up  directly  in  the  rear 
and  ,not  at  the  side  of  the  chamber.  There  are  no  projecting  knobs,  hanmier 
or  bolt  handles  to  become  entangled  in  straps  and  clothing ;  the  rifle  has  a 
remarkably  clear,  smooth  appearance,  free  from  all  protuberances. 

The  firing  mechanism  cannot  be  operated  until  the  rifle  is  safely  breeched  up 
and  locked ;  the  firing  pin  is  cammed  back  from  the  face  of  the  breech-bolt  in 
the  first  movement  of  the  lever  in  unbreeching  the  rifle.  Double  loading  or 
jamming  of  cartridges  is  impossible;  shells  are  positively  ejected,  however 
slowly  the  mechanism  is  operated. 

In  loading,  either  as  a  single  loader  or  magazine  rifle,  it  is  only  necessary 
that  the  cartridges  be  placed  down  in  the  breech  opening,  heads  to  the  rear. 
The  act  of  placing  the  cartridge  in  the  breech  opening  presses  the  automatic 
cut-off  into  its  recess,  thereby  "  cutting  off "  the  cartridges  in  the  magazine 
below.  This  automatic  arrangement  eliminates  the  necessity  for  a  "cut-off 
operated  by  the  soldier,  thus  reducing  the  conditions  for  reserving  the  maga- 
zine cartridges. 

If  a  soldier  fails  to  place  a  cartridge  in  the  breech  opening,  a  cartridge  will 
be  fed  up  automatically  from  the  magazine.  The  rifle  can  be  alternately  and 
automatically  used  as  a  single  loading  and  as  a  magazine  rifle.  The  extrac- 
ting of  empty  shells  is  positive  with  the  nuiltii)lied  extracting  power  of  over 
twelve  to  one ;  each  empty  shell  is  ejected  from  the  riile  to  the  right  before 
another  cartridge  can  be  loaded  or  fed  up  from  the  magazine. 

A  numerical  indicator  exposed  through  an  opening  in  the  frame  always 
shows  the  number  of  cartridges  contained  in  the  magazine,  and  also  shows 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS  273 

when  the  magazine  is  empty.  Two  movements  only  are  required  to  extract 
and  eject  the  fired  shell,  load,  breech  up  and  cock  the  firing  mechanism,  ready 
to  fire.  No  special  tools  are  required  to  dismount  and  assemble  the  action.  The 
working  mechanism  is  exposed  to  view  by  removing  the  butt  stock.  Danger- 
ous pressures  from  compressed  powders  are  avoided  by  holding  all  the  maga- 
zine cartridges  by  their  rims  in  a  rotary  sprocket,  thus  preventing  the  bullets 
from  being  pressed  too  far  into  the  shells  from  the  action  of  recoil. 

Magazine  cartridges  can  be  safely  removed  from  the  rifle  without  cocking 
the  firing  mechanism.  Cartridges  are  loaded  into  the  magazine  through  the 
breech  opening,  thereby  obviating  any  necessity  for  hinged  trap  doors,  fillers 
or  any  coverings.  Dangers  arising  from  the  use  of  high  explosive  powders  in 
shells  having  defective  heads  or  primers  are  wholly  overcome  by  providing  a 
solid  steel  breeching  shoulder  between  the  eyes  and  head  of  the  operator  and 
the  chamber,  making  it  impossible  for  the  powder  gas  to  escape  to  the  rear. 

The  highly  popular  and  reliable  lever  action  is  used  in  the  Savage  rifle.  It 
enables  the  soldier  to  operate  from  the  shoulder  or  aiming  position ;  this 
action  also  permits  of  using  the  rifle  in  any  position,  either  standing,  sitting 
or  lying  prone.  At  Creedmoor  the  Savage  rifle  was  placed  in  the  hands  of 
soldiers  of  the  New  York  State  guard  who  operated  the  rifle  while  lying  prone, 
in  competition  with  bolt  action  rifles,  fully  demonstrating  the  practicability  of 
the  Savage  lever  system  for  this  position.  A  soldier  can  work  a  Savage  rifle 
closer  to  the  ground  than  he  can  under  the  same  conditions  a  bolt  action 
rifle.  The  lever  guard  on  the  Savage  rifle  and  carbine  makes  it  safe  and 
reliable  for  the  use  of  cavalry.  It  is  impossible  for  bridle  reins  or  straps  to  be- 
come entangled  with  trigger  and  thereby  occasion  accidents.  The  action  of 
the  lever  is  short  and  requires  little  power  to  operate,  the  arm  being  very 
quick  and  handy.    The  point  blank  military  range  is  up  to  600  yards. 

In  the  matter  of  selection  of  improved  fire  arms  for  the  National  Guard  of 
the  State  of  New  York,  the  Savage  rifle  was  recommended  by  a  Board  appoint- 
ed by  Gov.  Morton,  who,  however,  argued  economy  as  his  reason  for  not 
making  any  change  from  the  old  black  powder  Springfield  rifles.  The  late 
war  with  Spain  has  once  for  all  demonstrated  the  folly  of  using  single  shot 
black  powder  rifles  in  modern  warfare  against  smokeless  magazine  rifles.  The 
Board  referred  to  reported  that  the  Savage  magazine  rifle,  lever  action,  maga- 
zine holding  five  cartridges,  in  strength  and  fewness  of  ])arts,  very  close  com- 
phance  with  the  "  salient  points  "  mentioned  in  the  instructions  for  the  con- 
sideration of  the  Board  by  the  Adjutant  General,  ease  of  manipulation,  and 
general  all  round  excellence,  won  their  unanimous  approval  it  being  the  best 
military  magazine  rifle  submitted  for  their  examination.  The  Board  also  very 
critically  examined  a  number  of  military  magazine  rifles  of  foreign  invention, 
used  in  the  Army  in  this  Country  and  in  Europe  and  were  free  to  say  that,  all 
points  carefully  considered,  the  Savage  magazine  rifle  was  far  superior  in 
simplicity  of  construction,  safety,  durability,  effectiveness,  accuracy,  beauty 


274  AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 

of  outline,  ease  and  certainty  of  manipulation,  and  for  the  double  and  ready 
use  as  a  single  loader  or  as  a  magazine  gun,  to  any  foreign  magazine  arm 
inspected. 

The  perforations  shown  in  Figure  8  were  made  by  the  .303  expanding  bullet 


laauKK     S. 


and  a  regular  charge  of  smokeless  powder,  fired  from  a  Savage  magazine  rifle 
at  a  distance  of  thirty  feet.  The  steel  plate  is  [[.^  inches  thick.  The  holes  are 
one  half  inch  in  diameter  while  1  lie  buHet  is  only  .:um  or  about    ;'>(>  caliber. 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 


275 


This  is  caused  by  the  expanding  of  the  bullet  on  the  first  impact.  The  pene- 
tration of  the  regular  metal  covered  bullet  in  pine  is  about  forty  inches. 

The  largest  game  in  the  world,  the  royal  Bengal  tiger  of  India,  the  elephant 
and  the  rhinoceros  of  Central  Africa,  are  now  being  successfully  hunted  and 
slain  by  men  using  the  .303  caliber  Savage  rifles.  Sportsmen  who  have  never 
tried  the  small  caliber  rifles  and  smokeless-powder  ammunition  are  somewhat 
skeptical  as  regards  the  killing  or  stopping  power  of  tbe  small  metal-covered 
expanding  bullets.  These  are  far  more  deadly  than  black-powder  ammuni- 
tion, however  large  the  caliber.  The  secret  of  the  deadly  effect  of  these  small 
projectiles  lies  in  their  expanding  qualities  and  extraordinary  high  velocity 
which  imparts  a  percentage  of  their  energy  to  the  otherwise  inert  flesh  and 
bone ;  and  these  substances,  being  acted  upon  by  so  quick  a  blow,  become 
themselves  projectiles,  folloTv^ing  a  well  known  mechanical  law,  lacerating  the 
surrounding  tissues  and  bone,  and  leaving  a  path  of  destruction  which  is 
widened  by  resistance  encountered  by  the  bullet. 

The  conjunction  of  small  caliber  metal-covered  bullet  and  the  smokeless 
powder  is  necessary  to  secure  high  velocity.  The  high  velocity  resulting  from 
the  use  of  smokeless  powder  is  only  possible  when  confined  by  the  small  cali- 
bers. If  a  bullet  is  omitted  from  one  of  these  cartridges  and  the  primer  struck, 
no  explosion  of  the  powder  will  occur.  The  small  diameter  of  the  bullet 
»nakes  it  necessary  to  lengthen  the  same,  in  order  to  secure  sufficient  weight. 


FIGURE      9.  ('. 

The  sharp  pitch  of  the  rifling,  one  turn  in  ten  inches,  is  necessary  to  keep  the 
point  of  the  bullet  end  on  and  prevent  key-holing.  The  rapid  twist  of  the 
rifling  and  the  great  pressure  of  smokeless  powder  compels  the  use  of  some 
less  _yielding  metal  than  lead,  as  a  soft  lead  bullet  would  be  blown  directly 
out  of  the  barrel ;  the  bullet  would  strip.  The  body  of  the  new  bullet  is  formed 
of  lead,  covered  with  a  metal  jacket. 


276  AMERICAN    SMALL  ARMS 

Sporting  and  target  peep  sights  for  the  Savage  .303  magazine  rifle  are  shown 
in  Figure  0.  A  is  the  Savage  wind  gauge  peep  sight ;  B  is  the  Savage  combina- 
tion rear  sight;  and  6' is  the  Savage  combination  rear  sight  with  cup  disc. 


FIGURE       lO. 

It  can  be  used  with  or  without  the  disc.  The  writer  has  made  excellent  tar- 
gets with  the  Savage  rifle  using  these  sights  and  holds  it  in  high  favor.  Fig- 
ure 10  shows  a  target  of  10  shots  at  100  yards.  Actual  size  bull's  eye.  Min- 
iature lead  bullet  cartridge  number  1. 

A  Mexican  Board  of  Army  oflicers  selected  by  President  Diaz,  in  1897,  re- 
ported most  favorably  on  the  Savnge  rifle.  They  reported  it  as  one  of  volun- 
tary repetition.  In  view  of  the  number  of  shots  made  with  the  rifle  without 
same  being  blocked  in  its  mechanism  or  injured  or  broken  in  any  Avay  (the 
number  of  shots  flred  was  about  nine  hundred),  this  Board  reported  it  to 
have  necessary  strength  and  solidity,  and  on  examination  of  the  various 
parts  of  the  weapon,  found  that  these  possessed  the  necessar}^  resisting  powers. 
The  powder  experiments  proved  satisfactory,  the  weapon  resisting  the  charge, 
which  was  an  excessive  one,  perfectly  Avell. 

The  small  .303  caliber  expanding  bullets,  when  they  flrst  ap])eared,  excited 
some  little  derision  among  those  who  had  always  considered  the  large  caliber 
bullet  necessary  to  secure  effective  results.  Their  experience  was  only  witli 
black  powder,  and  their  deductions  were  correct,  under  those  conditions. 
The  immensely  increased  velocity  inii)arted  to  these  small  .303  caliber  bullets 
by  modern  smokeless  powder  is  the  secret  of  the  enormous  smashing  power  of 
the  modern  small  caliber  bullet.  The  soft  nose  of  the  expanding  bullet  ex- 
pands on  imj)act  with  the  softest  tissues.  s])litting  the  jacketed  poition.  de- 
forming the  whole  bullet  to  such  an  extent  that  the  wound  made  covers  a 
larger  area  than  ever  before  seen. 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS  277 

SCHOFIELD  SMITH  &  WESSON  REVOLVER. 

This  excellent  arm,  formerly  largely  used  in  the  United  States  Army,  is  the 

Smith  &  Wesson  revolver  modified.     The  principal  changes   from  the  original 

Smith  &  Wesson  revolver  are  in  the  extractor,  the  C3'linder  catch  and  the  barrel 

catch.    The  barrel  is  joined  to  the  frame  by  a  joint  screw.    Under  and  behind  the 

barrel  projects  the  base  pin  upon  which  the  cylinder  revolves.     This  is  kept  in  its 

place  on  its  pivot  by  the  inner  hook  of  the  cylinder-catch,  and  is  held  down  by 

the  cylinder-catch  cam,  the  upper  part  of  the  middle  portion  of  which  is  cut  away 

and  allows  the  catch  to  rise  when  the  cam  is  turned  to  a  certain  position.     See 

Smith  &  Wcsso)i  Anns. 

SCHULHOF  RIFLE. 

The  mechanism  in,  this  arm  may  be  stopped  and  locked  by  a  safety-bolt  which 
is  a  sort  of  a  swivel  that  may  be  turned  into  a  notch  in  the  operating  lever  below 
the  frame.  The  manipulation  of  the  arm  is  extremely  simple.  The  magazine 
door  is  opened  and  the  cartridges  are  either  dropped  in  by  hand  or  introduced  by 
a  charging-box.  The  magazine  door  having  been  closed,  the  cartridges  may  be 
fired  in  succession  by  operating  the  lever.  Each  time  when  the  operating  ring  has 
been  pulled  back  far  enough  to  block  the  breech-bolt  the  finger  meets  the  trigger 
protruding  through  the  slit  in  the  operating  ring  and  the  shot  is  fired.  The  maga- 
zine having  been  discharged,  single  fire  may  be  kept  up  by  dropping  single  cart- 
ridges into  the  top  opening  of  the  breech-case.  For  accurate  shooting,  the  breech 
may  be  closed,  putting  the  finger  against  the  outside  of  the  operating  ring  for  pull- 
ing it  back  and  then  introducing  the  finger  to  pull  the  trigger  for  an  accurately 
aimed  shot. 

SCOTT  MAGAZINE  GUN. 

This  breech-loading  small  arm  has  a  fixed  chamber  closed  by  a  movable  barrel, 
which  rotates  about  an  axis  parallel  to  the  axis  of  the  l)arrel.  The  gun  is  opened 
by  cocking  the  hammer,  releasing  the  barrel-catch,  and  allowing  the  barrel  to  re- 
volve on  an  axis  parallel  to  and  beneath  it,  until  the  chamber  comes  opposite  to  the 
magazine.  It  swings  aside  the  magazine  lid  as  it  passes  over  the  mouth  of  the 
magazine,  and  is  automatically  loaded  by  the  action  of  the  magazine-spring.  By 
reversing  the  action  of  the  barrel,  the  barrel-catch  springs  into  place  and  holds  it 
shut.  The  gun  has  a  sliding  extractor  moving  in  a  spiral  cam  recess  on  the  axis 
during  the  revolution  of  the  barrel.  There  is  no  ejection — the  shell  readily  drops 
out  as  the  gun  is  opened. 

SHARPS  RIFLE. 

This  famous  arm,  which  superseded  the  Hall  rifle,  belongs  to  that  system  in 
which  a  fixed  chamber  is  closed  by  a  bolt,  by  direct  action,  and  in  which  the  lock 


278 


AMERICAN   SMALL   ARMS 


is  concealed.  The  receiver  has  a  slot  in  its  upper  surface  for  the  purpose  of  load- 
ing the  chamber  or  filling  the  magazine.  It  is  bored  through  at  rear  for  the  recep- 
tion of  the  breech  bolt,  which  is  composed  of  two  principal  parts,  viz. :  the  body 
and  the  locking-tube.  The  bolt  is  locked  by  lugs  on  the  locking-tube,  turning  in 
corresponding  cuts  in  the  receiver.  The  bolt  carries  on  its  upper  surface  the  ex- 
tractor, which  is  of  the  ordinary  spring-hook  pattern,  and  in  its  axis  cne  firmg  pm, 
which  extends  the  whole  length  of  the  bolt.  The  spiral  form  of  the  face  of  the 
locking-tube,  and  of  the  shoulder  of  the  bolt,  is  such  as  to  cam  the  bolt  up  against 
the  head  of  the  cartridge  when  the  bolt  is  locked. 

On  the  rear  face  of  the  locking-tube  are  two  s])iral  surfaces,  which  bear  against 
corresponding  surfaces  of  the  firing-pin.  When  the  handle  is  turned  down  to 
lock  the  bolt,  the  firing-pin  spring  is  compressed  between  the  shoulders  on  the  pin, 
and  nut  on  the  extreme  rear  of  the  bolt.  On  withdrawing  the  nose  of  the  sear,  the 
firing-pin,  under  the  influence  of  the  spring  moves  forward  and  explodes  the  car- 


44-90-55(rSHARPS  NECKED 


tridge.  The  shell  is  ejected  by  the  ejector-pin,  which  strikes  against  the  lever  of 
the  carrier,  when  the  bolt  is  withdrawn,  and  is  driven  forward  against  the  lower 
side  of  the  head  of  the  shell,  while  the  extractor  is  pulling  on  the  upper.  The 
firing-pin  spring  and  rear  of  bolt  are  protected  by  a  thin  shell.  The  bolt  is  pre- 
vented from  being  drawn  completely  out  of  the  receiver  by  the  lever  of  the  carrier 
and  by  a  key  striking  on  the  upper  surface  of  the  extractor. 

The  magazine  is  in  the  tip-stock.  When  the  breech-bolt  is  withdrawn  the  pro- 
jection in  which  the  ejector-pin  is  situated,  strikes  the  lever  of  the  carrier,  tipping 
the  latter  up  in  a  position  oblique  to  the  axis  of  the  bore,  bringing  the  point  of  the 
cartridge  nearly  opposite  the  center  of  the  chamber.  The  carrier  is  held  in  this 
position  by  a  pin  and  spring.     When  the  bolt  is  closed  the  cartridge  is  driven  in 


.45-105-550  SHARPS  S" 


the  chamljer.  while  a  projection  on  the  1)olt  strikes  the  lever,  causing  the  front  of 
the  carrier  to  descend  opposite  tlie  mouth  of  the  magazine  to  receive  another  car- 
tridge. The  carrier  is  of  such  thickness  at  its  front  as  not  to  uncover  the  maga- 
zine tube  completely  when  the  former  rises.     Cartridges  are  thus  prevented  from 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS  279 

escaping  from  the  magazine  except  when  the  carrier  is  in  position  to  receive  them. 


No  magazine  cut-off  is  appHed  to  this  gun ;  consequently  it  can  only  be  used  as  a 
single  loader  when  the  magazine  is  empty. 

As  a  magazine  gun,   three  motions  are  necessary  to  operate  it,  viz.,  opened. 


closed,  fired, 
closed,  fired. 


As  a  single  loader,  four  motions  are  necessary,  viz.,  opened,  loaded. 


SHARPS-BORCHARDT  RIFLE. 

Perhaps  this  was  the  most  remarkable  rifle  of  its  time ;  it  certainly  did  more  to 
popularize  rifles  than  ony  other  invention  that  had  preceded  it.  The  barrel  is 
firmly  secured  to  the  stock,  and  the  breech  is  closed  by  a  vertical  sliding  breech- 
block, similar  to  that  employed  in  the  Hotchkiss  quick-firing  guns  of  to-day.  The 
cartridge  was  made  of  cloth,  having  the  end  nearest  to  the  breech-block  closed  by 
tissue  paper,  which  was  saturated  with  nitrate  of  potash.  In  some  of  the  early- 
types  of  this  arm,  the  breech-block  was  made  to  cut  off  the  end  of  the  cartridge 


and  expose  the  powder  on  being  closed.  One  of  the  principal  advantages  of  this 
arm  over  others  was  that  a  supply  of  percussion  caps  was  placed  in  the  magazine, 
held  in  position  by  a  spiral  spring,  and  arranged  in  such  a  manner  that  the  action 
of  the  breech  placed  a  fresh  cap  on  the  nipple  by  the  act  of  opening  the  breech. 


280  AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 

The  lever  for  working-  the  breech  formed  a  part  of  the  trigger  guard.  The  accu- 
racy of  this  arm  was  very  much  superior  to  any  other  rifle  of  its  time.  The  cele- 
brated John  Brown,  of  Osawatomie  and  Harper's  Ferry  notoriety,  employed  this 
form  of  rifle  with  great  effect  against  the  border  ruffians  of  Missouri.  The 
Sharps  "Old  Reliable"  had  an  outside  hammer.  The  Sharps-Borchardt  was  ham- 
merless.     Both  used  metallic  cartridges  in  the  later  models. 

SHARPS-HANKINP  RIFLE. 

This  breech-loading,  .50  caliber  arm  was  largely  used  by  the  cavalry  during  the 
Civil  War.  and  was  afterwards  issued  to  the  Indians  for  sporting  purposes.  The 
barrel  is  24  inches  long  and  takes  the  rim-fire  cartridge.  It  has  the  sliding  action. 
Pressing  down  the  lever  releases  the  barrel,  sliding  it  forward  on  the  gun  frame 
removes  the  empty  shells,  leaving  the  gun  open  to  recive  the  new  cartridge. 

SHATTUCK  GUNS. 

The  Shattuck  single  shotgun  has  been  before  the  public  for  more  than  twenty 
years  and  still  retains  its  high  standard  of  excellence.  It  has  the  re-enforced 
breech,  "Pieper's  System,"  the  barrel  passing  through  a  sleeve  on  which  is  the  lug 
for  locking  barrel  with  frame,  the  whole  being  one  soHd  piece  of  metal,  thereby 
doing  away  with  all  brazing  or  soldering.  The  bolt  or  catch  that  engages  with 
the  lug  on  the  barrel,  consists  of  but  one  piece,  making  it  a  very  simple  and  strong 
fastening.  In  unlocking  and  opening  the  gun  it  simultaneously  unlocks  the  barrel 
from  the  frame  and  throws  the  hammer  back  so  the  trigger  enters  the  safety  or 
half-cock  notch.  Many  prefer  this  to  the  rcbound-ng  lock,  as  the  same  result  is 
obtained  by  a  positive  motion  instead  of  a  spring  for  throwing  the  hammer  back  to 
the  safety  notch.  It  is  made  in  four  sizes,  8,  10,  12  and  16  gauge,  and  is  recom- 
mended when  close,  hard  shooting  is  required. 

A  recent  model  is  provided  with  a  rebounding  hammer.  A  simple  device  is  pro- 
vided for  throwing  the  hammer  into  the  safety  notch  after  discharging  the  gun. 
This  device  is  operated  by  the  trigger,  thereby  doing  away  with  a  rebounding 
spring  used  in  most  guns,  to  perform  this  operation ;  without  this  spring  it  allows 
full  force  of  the  main  spring  to  strike  the  firing  ])in,  which  removes  in  a  great 
measure  the  danger  of  the  gun  missing  fire.  The  gun  is  symmetrical  in  appear- 
ance and  is  the  only  single  top  lever  gun  having  a  double  bolt,  which  is  considered 
so  essential  in  modern  gun-making.  The  hammer  being  in  the  center  is  in  direct 
line  with  firing,  again  lessening  the  chances  for  missing  fire. 

Mr.  Shattuck  has  recently  placed  upon  the  market  a  very  excellent  double,  liam- 
merless  gun,  embracing  many  new. and  valuable  features.  The  workmanshij)  is 
clean  and  thorough  and  sportsmen  highly  praise  its  many  good  points. 


AMERICAN   SMALL  ARMS 


281 


SIMMONS    GUNS. 

The  Simmons  Hardware  Company,  of  St.  Louis,  stand  alone  in  the  manu- 
facture and  control  some  of  the  finest  and  most  satisfactory  cheap  guns  now 
used.     They  are  generally  well  indorsed  by  sportsmen.     They  are  practically 


Figure  i. 

American  made,  although  some  of  the  parts  are  imported.  Figure  i  shows  the 
New  Era,  12  gauge,  30  and  32-inch  barrels;  weight  7  to  8  1-4  pounds.  This 
nitro  hammerless  gun  is  beautifully  constructed  and  has  an  automatic  ejector. 
Figure  2  shows  a  single  barrel  breech-loading  shotgun,  known  as  the  Nitro 


Figure  2. 

Marvel.  It  is  adapted  for  nitro  powder  machine-loaded  shells.  It  has  top  snap, 
rebounding  hammer,  heavy  reinforced  breech  and  is  choke  bored.  It  is  made 
in  12,  16  and  20-gauge,  30-inch  barrel,  and  weighs  6  3-4  pounds.     Fig.  3  shows 


282 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 


another  excellent  sing-le  barrel  breech-loading  gun   for  nitro  powder.      It  bears 
the  trade  mark,  "Western  Arms  Q).,"  is  made  in  12  and  16  gauge,  barrels  30,  32 


FIGURE  3. 
and  34  inches  in  length,  and  weighs  6i  to  6^  pounds.     Figure  4  shows  the  Young 
America,  single  shot,  with  an  automatic  ejector  and  rebounding  hammer.     It  is 


FIGURE  4. 
made  in  12  gauge,  with  30-inch  barrel,  and  weighs  6|  pounds.    The  Klean  Killer 
Pigeon  Gun  is  shown  in  Figure  5.     It  has  snap  rebounding  hammer,  is  heavily 


FIGURE  5. 
reinforced  at  the  breech  and  is  choke  bored, 
with  30-inch  barrel,  and  weighs  6^  pounds, 
machine-loaded  shells. 


It  is  made  in   12  and   16  gauge. 
It    is    adapted    for  nitro  powder 


AMERICAN   SMALL   ARMS 


283 


SLEEPER  RIFLE. 

This  breech-loading  arm  has  a  fixed  chamber  and  a  pecuhar  breech  mechanism. 
It  is  opened  by  pressing  an  eccentric  lever  on  the  right  side  of  the  butt-stock,  and 
thus  throwing  out  the  spring-butt-plate,  so  gs  to  release  the  rear  end  of  the  cham- 
ber-lever, and  to  allow  it  to  be  then  thrown  down  by  the  spring  included  between 
it  and  the  stock.  Bv  closing  the  chamber-lever  until  its  rearmost  end  engages 
with  the  butt-plate,  the  forward  end  catches  the  cartridge,  as  would  be  done  by  a 

pair  of  tongs. 

SMITH  GUNS. 

The  L.  C.  Smith  hammerless  gun,  shown  in  Figure  i,  has  a  new  mechanical 
movement  for  cocking  tumblers  or  strikers,  which  is  different  from  any  device 
that  has  ever  been  used  for  the  purpose,  and  commends  itself  for  simplicity,  relia- 
bility and  ease  of  manipulation.  The  simplicity  and  compactness  of  this  device 
allows  the  use  of  a  frame  of  the  same  dimensions  as  is  used  in  the  best  propor- 


Figure  i. 

tioned  hammer  guns,  and  have  ample  strength  in  the  angle  frame.  The  bolting, 
joint  check,  and  extractor  mechanism  are  identical  with  the  hammer  gun,  and 
stand  without  a  rival  for  strength  and  durability.  The  cocking  mechanism  is  com- 
posed of  but  two  pieces,  with  no  springs,  pins  or  screw^s.  The  safety  is  simple  and 
positive,  and  may  be  used  as  automatic  or  independent. 

The  automatic  ejector  is  a  feature  much  appreciated  by  American  sportsmen. 
This  mechanism  is  the  simplest  possible.  '  The  main-springs  being  the  ejecting 
force,  it  requires  no  more  power  to  6pen  the  gun  than  an  ordinary  hammerless. 
The  drawing.  Figure  2  (partly  in  section),  with  the  left-hand  lock  removed, 
shows  the  cocking  and  safety  mechanism,  also  the  automatic  ejector  mechanism. 
This  ejector  mechanism  is  composed  of  a  pair  of  tumblers  located  in  the  forend 


284 


AMERICAN   SMALL   ARMS 


which  bear  upon  the  wrist-pins  of  the  crank-shaft,  both  tumblers  being  locked  by 
a  single  sear  until  the  breech  end  of  the  barrels  is  raised  above  the  frame,  when 


Figure  2. 

the  sear  is  pushed  out  of  engagement  with  the  tumblers,  and  the  lock  or  bcks 
which  have  been  snapped  operate  their  respective  tumblers  and  expel  the  fired 
case  or  cases. 

Always  ready  to  anticipate  the  wants  of  sportsmen,  the  Hunter  Arms  Com- 
pany have  produced  a  new  grade  of  this  gun  known  as  the  pigeon  gun.  In  this 
grade  great  strength  and  durability  are  combined  with  perfect  fittings  and  un- 
surpassed finish.  The  new  nitro  steel  barrels  are  pronounced  by  all  sportsmen  as 
being  a  decided  step  in  advance.  They  are  harder  than  a  Damascus,  also 
stronger,  and  have  become  very  popular.  They  are  thick  both  at  breech  and  muz- 
zle, and  are  specially  adapted  to  stand  the  tremendous  strain  of  many  heavy  loads 
of  nitro  powder.  The  combined  automatic  and  independent  safety  found  in  this 
gun  is  excellent.  In  an  instant  a  shooter  by  a  motion  of  the  thumb  can  change 
from  automatic  to  independent,  or  z'icc  versa.  Thus  the  gun  at  the  trap  or  in  the 
bough-house  can  be  fired  all  day  without  moving  safety-slide,  and  in  the  field  can 
be  used  with  automatic,  which  locks  triggers  when  the  gun  is  opened  for  loading. 
The  gun  is  distinctively  a  top-action  gun,  bolted  or  locked  at  as  great  a  distance  as 
is  practical  from  the  hinge-joint,  to  utilize  the  advantage  of  a  long  leverage,  thus 
reducing  the  strain  on  the  bolting  mechanism  to  the  lowest  possible  minimum. 
The  rotary-bolt  is  made  from  one  solid  jmccc  of  steel,  and  is  provided  with  a 
strong  forward  arm  which  jiasses  completely  through  the  mortise  in  the  extension 
of  the  rib  and  under  the  solid  metal  of  the  frame  three-sixteenths  of  an  inch, 
which,  together  with  the  backward  llangc  passing  through  the  slot  in  the  end  of 
the  extension,  makes  the  strongest  possible  fastening. 


AMERICAN    SMALL  ARMS  285 

SMITH  AND  WESSON  ARMS. 

These  Arms,  so  long  and  favorably  known,  have  now  reached  perfection.  The 
Automatic  Shell  Extractor,  Figure  i ,  is  the  first  attractive  feature.  The  exploded  shells 
are  ejected  from  the  cylinder  by  the  simple  motion  of  opening  the  arm,  which  is  then  in 
position  for  loading.  All  the  chambers  of  the  cylinder  being  exposed  at  once,  the  pro- 
cess of  loading  is  greatly  facilitated.  All  models  are  furnished  with  interchangeable  long 
and  short  barrels,  for  target  and  pocket  use  respectively.  The  manipulation  of  the  Arm 
is  extremely  simple. 

To  load.  —  Half  cock  the  Arm,  raise  the  barrel  catch  to  its  full  height,  and  tip  the 
barrel  forward  as  far  as  it  will  go.  Place  the  charges  in  the  chambers  and  return  the 
barrel  to  its  place,  being  sure  to  have  the  barrel  catch  down  to  its  place  when  the  Arm  is 
ready  for  use. 


Figure  1. 

To  eject  the  empty  cartridge  cases.  —  Grasp  the  barrel  catch  with  the  thumb  and 
brefinger  of  the  left  hand,  holding  the  breech  of  the  barrel  and  cylinder  downward,  and 
vith  the  right  hand  carry  forward  the  lock  frame  and  stock  of  the  Arm  until  the  ejector 
eturns  to  its  place,  when  the  Arm  is  in  condition  to  reload. 

In  the  safety  hammerless  revolvers,  the  barrel  catch  is  arranged  to  be  operated  by 
he  thumb  of  the  right  hand. 

To  remove  an  exploded  shell  —  Open  the  Arm  sufficiently  to  start  the  cartridges  out 
:.  little,  then  close  it  again  sufficiently  to  allow  the  ejector  to  return  to  its  place  ;  remove 
he  exploded  shell,  and  press  the  other  charges  home ;  close  again,  and  the  Arm  is  ready 
Dr.  use. 

To  remove  the  cylinder  and  extractor.  —  Open  the  Arm  until  the  extractor  protrudes 
bout  half  way,  release  the  cylinder  and  give  it  two  turns  to  the  left. 

In  the  single  and  double  action  models,  the  cylinder  is  released  by  raising  the  barrel 
atch,  and  in  the  safety  hammerless  models,  by  pressing  with  the  thumb  of  the  left  hand 
pen  the  cylinder  catch  in  the  barrel  strap. 


286  AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 

To  replace  the  cylinder  and  ejector.  —  Open  the  Arm  to  its  full  capacity.  Raise  the 
barrel  catch,  press  the  cylinder  for\vard  upon  the  base  pin  and  give  it  two  turns  to  the 
right. 

Wliile  carrying  the  revolver  fully  charged,  allow  the  hammer  to  rest  in  the  safety  catch. 
After  the  first  discharge,  allow  the  hammer  to  rest  on  the  exploded  cartridge  until  the  next 
discharge,  and  so  on  until  all  are  fired.  In  such  revolvers  as  have  the  rebounding  lock, 
these  latter  precautions  are  unnecessary ;  as,  by  the  action  of  the  lock,  which  is  automat- 
ic, the  hammer  will  always  be  kept  in  the  safety  catch,  and  the  revolver  be  secured  from 
accidental  discharge. 

The  great  number  of  accidents  recorded  during  past  years,  in  the  use  and  handling 
of  the  revolver,  has  made  it  evident  that  some  decided  change  in  this  arm,  by  which 
these  accidents  shall  be  avoided,  is  not  only  desirable  but  necessary.  To  this  end  much 
time  and  thought  has  been  expended,  but  not  until  quite  recently  has  the  object  sought 
after  been  fully  attained  in  the  perfection  of  the  iiammerless  Safety  revolver.      Figure  2. 


Figure  2. 

It  is  well  known  to  all  familiar  with  the  subject,  that  a  very  large  proportion  of  the 
accidents  with  revolvers  arises  from  some  unintentional  manipulation  of  the  hammer. 
Either  it  receives  a  blow,  is  allowed  to  slip  off  the  thumb  in  cocking,  is  accidently  caught 
on  some  foreign  object  and  partially  raised,  or  is  unintentionally  left  at  full  cock.  Tlie 
only  other  and  a  fruitful  source  of  accident  is  the  unintentional  manipulation  of  the 
trigger.  In  the  new  hammerless  safety  revolver  all  these  liabilities  to  accidents  are  made 
impossibilities  first,  by  placing  the  hammer  of  the  arm  entirely  within  the  lock  frame  so 
that  no  external  force  whatever  can  be  applied  to  it,  and  second,  by  so  arranging  the  trigger 
that  it  cannot  be  pulled  except  at  the  instant  of  deliberate  firing,  and  only  by  this  means. 
One  very  impoitant  feature  of  this  arrangement  is  the  safety  of  the  arm  in  the  hands  of 
children,  as  no  ordinary  child  can  possibly  discharge  it.  The  new  arm  is  also  provided 
with  a  rebounding  lock  as  an  additional  source  of  safety  and  protection.  One  of  these 
revolvers  may  be  carried  with  as  little  danger  of  injury  to  the  person  carrying  it  as  if  it 
were  a  block  of  wood,  and  yet  it  possesses  in  a  high  degree  all  the  essential  qualities  of  a 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 


287 


weapon  of  defense,  or  an  arm  for  target  practice.  As  a  weapon  of  defense  it  has  the  ad- 
vantage, on  account  of  the  hammerless  feature,  of  being  readily  drawn  from  the  pocket. 
As  to  weight  and  general  appearance,  the  hammerless  safety  revolver  is  but  one- 
half  ounce  heavier  than  the  double  action  model  of  the  same  caliber,  and  fully  as  hand- 
some in  appearance.  In  addition  to  the  above  described  elements  of  safety,  this  revolv- 
er has  the  automatic  ejector  as  applied  to  all  of  the  former  models,  and  in  short  possesses 
ever)'  desirable  quality  of  the  well-known  Smith  &  Wesson  revolvers.  Since  their  intro- 
duction in  1887,  fully  300,000  have  been  placed  on  the  market,  and  up  to  the  present 
time,  not  a  single  accident  in  their  use  has  been  recorded.  Figure  2  shows  the  38 
hammerless  safety,  model  1898.  The  hammer  concealed  within  the  lock  frame- and  oper- 
ated by  the  trigger,  as  in  any  self  acting  arm,  is  constantly  locked  by  a  safety  latch, 
which  is  held  in  position  by  a  spring.     When  held  in  the  hand  for  firing,  the  natural  press- 


Figure  3. 

ure  upon  the  safety  lever  in  the  action  of  pulling  the  trigger  raises  the  safety  latch  and 
releases  the  hammer.  The  safety  lever  and  trigger  must  act  in  unison,  and  to  discharge 
this  arm  in  any  but  the  proper  manner  is  an  impossibility. 

The  32-44  target  model  shown  in  Figure  3,  is  single  action,  center  fire.  It  is  six 
shot,  weighs  2  pounds  11  ounces  and  has  a  barrel  6%  inches  long.  The  38  caliber 
single  action  models  1880  andiSgi  have  rebounding  locks,  are  five  shot,  weigh  16  ounces 
and  have  barrels  3^,  4,  5  or  6  inches  in  length.  The  38-44  target  model  is  six  shot, 
weighs  2  pounds  9  ounces  and  has  a  barrel  6]4.  inches  long.  The  44  single  action, 
Russian  model,  is  six  shot,  weighs  2]4  pounds,  with  barrels  4,  5,  6  and  6^  inches  in 
length  and  has  a  rebounding  lock. 

The  32  double  action  has  automatic  shell  extractor,  is  central  fire,  five  shot,  weighs  13 
ounces  and  has  barrels  3,  3I2  and  6  inches  in  length.     The  hand  ejecting  32  double   ac- 


288  AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 

Hon  model  1896  is  shown  in  Figure  4.  The  action  is  very  clearly  seen.  This  arm  is  six. 
shot,  weighs  19  ounces  and  has  barrels  3)4^,  4^  or  6  inches  in  length.  It  has  a  solid 
frame,  swing  out  cylinder  and  rebounding  lock.    The  38  double  action  is  five  shot,  weighs 


Figure  4. 

18  ounces  and  has  barrels  3  5^,  4,  5  or  6  inches  in  length.  The  44  double  action, 
Russian  and  Frontier  models,  are  six  shot,  weigh  2  pounds  and  3  ounces  and  have  barrels 
4,  5,  6  and  6^  inches  in  length.  The  Frontier  model  is  shown  in  Figure  5.  The  44 
Winchester  model  1873  cartridge  is  adapted  to  this  arm. 


The  Smith  and  Wesson  sini^lc  j-//o/ target  pistol,  shown  in  Figure  6,  has  the  automatic 
shell  extractor,  rebounding  lock  and  the  adjustable  target  sight.  The  following  are  its 
weights  and  calibers: 


AMERICAN  SMALL  ARMS 


289 


With  6  in.  Barrel,  32  Cal. 


38 


"  8  "    "    32  "  I  "  4^  " 

"  8  "    "    38  "  I  "  4'A  " 

u  8  "    "    22  "  I  "  6}^  " 

"  10  "    "    32  "  I  "  6  " 

38  "  I  "  5j4  " 

"  10  "     "      22  "  I  "  8^  " 

The  lock  frame  of  this  pistol  is  identical  with  that  of  the  S.  &  W.  38  single  action, 


LB.  3X  oz. 


Figure 


model  189 1  revolver,  and  the  barrels  and  stocks  of  the  two  arms  are  interchangeable. 

The  .22  hand  ejector,  Model   1902,  is  shown  in  Figure  7.     It  is  designed  to 

meet  the  demand  for  an  accurate  and  reliable  .22  caliber  revolver.     The  ammu- 


Figure  7. 

nition  best  adapted  for  this  arm  is  the  .22  S.  &  W.,  which  is  practically  the  popular 
.22  long  rifle  cartridge,  slightly  crimped  and  strengthened  to  meet  the  special 
requirements.    Regular  .22  short  cartridges  may  also  be  used. 

The  new  Military  .38  Model  1899   shown  in  Figure  8  is  a  strictly  military  arm, 
built  to  stand  hard  service,  and  is  adapted  for  use  in  police  departments  where 


290  AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 

the  ordinaty  pocket  revolver  is  not  sufficiently  powerful.  It  is  solid  frame,  swing-out 
cylinder,  double  action  and  six  shot.  The  lengths  of  barrels  and  weights  are  :  4  in.,  i  lb. 
131^  oz, ;  5-in,,  I  lb.  14  oz,;  6^-in.,  i  lb,  15^4^  oz.  The  ammunition  adapted  to  this 
arm  is  the  .38  Smith  &  Wesson  Special,  United  States  Service  cartridge  (Usted  as  .38 
Long  Colt),  and  the  .32  Winchester  repeating  rifle  cartridge.     The  ,38  Smith  &  Wesson 


Figure  8, 

Special  contains  21^  grains  of  powder,  and  158  grain  solid  base  bullet.  Penetration, 
S}4  ^-in,  pine  boards.  This  is  a  very  powerful  charge  and  extremely  accurate.  Gallery 
charge,  6  grains  of  powder  and  70  grain  round  ball,  loaded  in  the  same  shell.  The 
Regular  .38  United  Service  cartridge  (listed  as  .38  Long  Colt),  is  very  accurate  but  not 
so  powerful  as  the  Special.  It  contains  18  grains  of  powder  and  150  grain  hollow  base 
bullet.      Penetration,  6}4    J^in.  pine  boards. 

The  Smith  &  Wesson  Bicycle  model,  shown  in  Figure    9,  has  all  the  advantages  of 


Figure  9- 
the  safety  hammerless  revolvers  and  cannot  be  accidentally  discharged.      Its  light  weight 
and  convenient  size  make  it  an  ideal  arm  for  wheelmen.  It  is  five  shot.    The  ammunition 
adapted  to  this  arm  is  the  .32  Smith  &  Wesson,  containing  10  grains  of  powder  and  88 
grain  grooved  or  self  lubricating  bullet.     The  length  of  barrel  is  2-in. ;  weight.  14  oz. 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS  291 

The  Smith  &  Wesson  New  Military  Revolver  has  many  claims  for  superiority. 
The  Government  tests  praise  it  highly.  In  double  action  revolvers,  notches  made 
in  the  soft  steel  of  the  cylinder,  without  being  reinforced,  would  soon  wear  and 
spread  so  as  to  seriously  impair  the  alignment  and  result  in  shaved  bullets, 
which  is  fatal  to  accuracy.  To  overcome  this  wear  and  spread,  a  tempered  tool 
steel  pin  is  inserted  into  the  side  of  the  notch  which  comes  in  contact  with  the  stop 
when  the  motion  of  the  cylinder  is  checked.  The  stop  is  very  strong,  and  is  central 
under  the  cylinder.  The  hand  which  revolves  the  cylinder  has  nothing  to  do  with 
holding  it.    All  such  arrangements  simply  force  the  cylinder  out  of  line. 

Another  feature  is  the  tempered  tool-steel  bosses,  or  collars,  fitted  into  the 
frame,  which,  in  connection  with  the  raised  collars  of  the  lock-studs,  keep  the 
working  parts  central  and  reduce  the  friction  to  a  minimum.  These  lock-studs  are 
not  merely  pins  driven  into  the  frame  but  are  made  with  large  collars  and  screwed 
into  the  frame  up  to  the  collar,  and  stock  of  frame  is  compressed  around  them 
securely  fastening  them  in  place.  The  locking-pin  works  through  a  tempered  tool- 
steel  collar,  fitted  into  the  extractor,  and  locks  into  a  tempered  tool-steel  collar 
fitted  into  the  frame.  The  cylinder  is  now  locked  both  front  and  rear,  the  locking 
pins  in  front  and  rear  being  operated  by  the  same  thumb-piece  in  frame.  This 
front  lock  is  most  valuable  for  maintaining  alignment.  The  collar  in  the  extractor 
is  slightly  raised  above  the  ratchet  teeth  and  impinges  upon  the  collar  in  the  frame, 
thus  preventing  the  ratchet  teeth  from  coming  in  contact  with  the  frame,  and 
saving  the  cylinder  from  longitudinal  wear  and  loosening.  All  these  tempered 
tool-steel  bushings,  collars,  etc.,  while  preventing  wear,  reducing  friction,  keeping 
the  alignment,  etc.,  have  an  additional  merit  for  a  military  arm  that  is  not  often 
taken  into  consideration.  Being  smooth  and  hard  they  are  less  liable  to  get  badly 
rusted,  and  if  badly  rusted,  being  small,  are  not  so  liable  to  get  stuck.  For  the 
same  reasons  dust  and  other  dirt  have  little  effect  upon  them.  The  expansion  by 
heat  by  the  most  rapid  firing  possible  is  not  noticeable,  one  thousand  service  car- 
tridges having  been  fired  from  one  of  these  revolvers  in  46  minutes. 

The  loose  hammer  nose  is  a  valuable  feature,  much  more  so  than  one  would  sup- 
pose at  first  glance.  It  is  so  arranged  that  its  blow  is  in  direct  line  with  the  car- 
tridge, thus  preventing  the  weakening  of  the  top  part  of  the  primer,  as  is  always 
the  case  with  the  raking  blow  of  the  ordinary  solid  hammer  nose.  Being  loose, 
this  nose  permits  the  use  of  an  aperture  the  exact  size  of  the  nose,  and  if  a  primer 
punctures,  as  they  sometimes  do,  it  cannot  block  the  cylinder  by  filling  in  the  aper- 
ture, as  the  aperture  is  completely  filled  by  the  nose  of  the  hammer.  With  the 
solid  nose,  the  primer  is  weakened  at  the  top,  and  it  is  the  top  part  of  the  aperture 
that  is  open.  This  is  also  a  very  strong  hammer  nose,  and  instead  of  breaking 
under  severe  strain,  being  loose,  it  will  give  enough  to  relieve  the  shock. 


292  AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 

In  this  revolver  the  barrel  is  screwed  into  place,  brought  to  perfect  alignment  by 
multiplying  gauges,  and  pinned  into  position.  This  is  a  radical  improvement  over 
the  method  of  screwing  the  barrel  against  the  frame  and  depending  upon  the  fric- 
tion to  hold  the  barrel  in  its  proper  place.  The  cylinder  is  so  chambered  that  the 
bullet  on  leaving  the  mouth  of  the  shell  completely  fills  the  end  of  the  cylinder, 
thus  preventing  the  gas  from  passing  the  bullet,  or  the  bullet  tipping  and  entering 
the  barrel  more  or  less  sidewise.  The  barrel  is  of  proper  caliber,  so  that  hollow 
base  bullets  are  not  necessary,  as  in  those  reveolvers  where  there  is  no  positive 
cylinder  stop.  The  cylinder  is  freed  out  under  the  extractor  to  keep  any  dirt 
which  may  accumulate  from  preventing  the  return  of  the  extractor  to  its  proper 
place.  The  yoke  is  also  freed  out  so  that  it  will  close  nicely  with  considerable  dirt 
in  the  joint. 

Many  times  a  mounted  officer  or  sportsman  finds  it  necessary  to  load  with  one 
hand.  The  little  device  for  preventing  the  cylinder  from  swinging  loosely,  and 
holding  it  in  open  position  for  loading,  will  be  greatly  appreciated  at  such  times. 

The  ammunition  for  this  arm  is  the  regular  .38  U.  S.  Service  cartridge  (listed 
as  the  .38  long  Colt),  containing  18  grains  of  black  powder,  or  its  equivalent  in 
smokeless,  and  a  150-grain  hollow  base  bullet. 

This  revolver  is  also  chambered  for  the  .38  Smith  &  Wesson  Special  cartridge 
which  contains  21  1-2  grains  of  black  powder  and  a  solid  base  bullet  weighing 
158  grains.  This  cartridge  is  more  accurate  than  the  service  charge  and  about 
30  per  cent,  more  powerful.  The  revolver  is  also  bored  for  the  .32-20  Winchester 
repeating  rifle  cartridge.  This  is  a  powerful  and  accurate  cartridge,  containing 
20  grains  of  black  powder  and  1 1 5  grains  of  lead. 

SMOOT  GUN. 

This  breech-loading  rifle  has  a  fixed  chamber,  closed  by  a  movable  breech-block, 
which  rotates  about  a  horizontal  axis  at  90  degrees  to  the  axis  of  the  barrel,  lying 
above  the  axis  of  the  barrel  and  in  rear  being  moved  from  above.  The  piece  is 
opened  by  cocking  the  hammer  and  drawing  back  the  thumb  piece  of  the  cam- 
lever.  A  projecting  stud  on  the  cam-lever  playing  in  the  cam  recess  of  the  breech- 
block draws  it  down  into  the  position  of  loading.  By  simply  reversing  the  move- 
ment of  the  cam-lever,  the  stud  will  act  on  the  other  side  of  the  cam-recess  and 
throw  uj)  the  block  until  it  is  met  and  stopped  by  the  front  shoulder  of  the  cam- 
lever  striking  against  a  corresponding  shoulder  near  the  front  of  the  block.  The 
motions  of  loading  and  closing  may  be  combinod  by  striking  the  thumb-piece  with 
the  palm  of  the  right  hand  as  the  cartridge  is  jiassed  into  the  chamber.  The  piece 
is  then  locked  by  the  position  of  the  breech-block  and  also  its  friction  against  the 
iiead  of  the  cartridge  when  it  is  fired,  by  moans  of  a  double  main-spring  center- 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS  293 

lock  of  the  most  usual  pattern.  Extraction  is  accomplished  by  means  of  a  sliding 
extractor,  a  stud  on  the  inside  of  which  plays  in  a  cam-recess  on  the  outer  side  of 
the  cam-lever.  After  passing  a  certain  point  in  opening  the  piece,  the  direct  pull 
on  the  extractor  ceases  and  the  ejection  is  secured  by  the  acceleration  which  is  im- 
pressed on  the  extractor  by  the  action  of  the  ejector-spring  on  a  cam  formed  on 
the  lower  surface  of  the  ejector-lever.  The  upper  end  of  which  lever,  striking  a 
shoulder  on  the  extractor,  throws  it  into  a  groove  connected  with  the  cam-recess, 
driving  the  shell  up  the  inclined  surface  of  the  breech-block  until  it  is  clear  of 
the  gun. 

SPENCER  RIFLE. 

This  arm  is  both  a  magazine  and  a  single  breech  loader,  seven  cartridges  being 
placed  in  a  magazine  in  the  butt  which  are  thrown  forward  into  the  chamber  as 
required.  The  breech-block  is  a  sector  pivoted  beneath  the  level  of  the  barrel,  and 
retreating  backward  and  downward,  it  exposes  the  rear  of  the  bore  for  the  inser- 
tion of  the  cartridge.  The  trigger  guard  forms  the  lever  for  moving  the  breech- 
block. This  is  probably  the  first  magazine  rifle  that  ever  had  an  extensive  use  as  a 
military  arm.  A  large  number  of  these  rifles  were  issued  to  the  northern  troops 
in  1863  and  1864. 

The  action  of  this  arm  is  very  simple.  When  the  chamber  is  closed,  the  point  of 
the  foremost  cartridge  rests  against  the  carrier-block.  When  it  is  opened,  which  is 
done  by  depressing  the  lever-guard,  this  cartridge  is  pushed  forward.  By  raising 
the  lever-guard  the  cartridge  is  carried  around  and  pushed  into  the  mouth  of  the 
chamber  which  is  firmly  closed  by  the  breech-block.  The  extractor  is  a  flat  lever, 
attached  to  the  left  side  of  the  carrier-block,  and  wihdraws  the  empty  case  by 
pressing  against  the  under  side  of  the  rim.  Another  small  lever,  called  the  guide, 
falls  into  the  space  occupied  by  the  carrier-block,  and  forms  an  inclined  plane,  up 
which  plane  the  empty  case  moves  to  clear  the  piece.  A  key  has  been  introduced 
into  this  arm,  by  which  the  supply  of  cartridges  can  be  cut  off  or  let  on  at  pleasure, 
and  enables  the  soldier  to  reserve  all  the  cartridges  in  the  magazine  for  an  emer- 
gency. When  the  magazine  is  locked,  the  piece  can  be  loaded  directly  from  the 
cartridge-box,  as  a  simple  breech-loader.  The  operation  of  this  key  is  simply  to 
prevent  the  carrier-block  from  falling  so  far  as  to  uncover  the  magazine;  at  the 
same  time  it  falls  far  enough  to  uncover  the  chamber  for  the  insertion  of  a  car- 
tridge by  hand. 

SPENCER-LEE  MAGAZINE  GUN. 

In  this  arm,  the  breech-block  is  supported  against  the  pressure  of  the  gas,  when 
the  piece  is  fired,  by  a  recoil  block,  solid  with  the  guard,  which  has  a  circular  re- 
cess concentric  with  the  rear  of  the  breech-block.     The  latter  is  slipped  in  the  re- 


294  AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 

cess  sideways  and  has,  when  assembled,  a  motion  of  rotation  m  a  vertical  plane. 
The  recoil  block  is  in  turn  supported  by  the  rear  of  the  receiver.  The  trigger  and 
the  hamn-ier  are  pivoted  in  the  guard-plate,  the  nose  of  the  former  or  the  sear 
being  held  in  position  in  ihc  notch  of  the  latter  l)y  the  scar-spring.  The  main- 
spring is  connected  with  the  hammer  and  the  under  rear  of  the  breech-block 
by  swivels.  When  the  trigger  is  pulled  the  head  of  the  firing-pin  is  struck  by  the 
upper  end  of  the  hammer.  The  Ijreech-block  is  operated  by  a  cam-pin,  with  fric- 
tion roller  on  the  inside  of  the  rear  end  on  the  left  of  two  sliding  bars,  connected 
by  the  liand-grasp.  The  cam-pin  travels  in  the  groove  on  the  left  side  of  the 
breech-block,  which  also  has  a  frog  or  switch,  pivoted  near  its  rear.  When  the 
cam-pin  enters  the  groove,  as  it  does  when  the  forked  side  is  forced  to  the  rear,  it 
rolls  over  the  incline  of  the  frog.  The  pin  cannot  rise,  since  the  bars  of  the  slide 
travel  in  grooves  on  the  inside  of  the  receiver.  Hence,  the  frog  must  be  pressed 
downward,  and  its  point  in  turn,  pressing  on  the  bottom  of  the  groove  in  the  block, 
compels  the  latter  to  descend.  When  the  pin  passes  out  of  the  groove  to  the  rear, 
the  front  of  the  breech-block  would  rise  above  the  receiver  under  the  pressure  of 
the  mainspring,  if  not  held  down  by  the  extractor,  as  explained  later  on.  When 
the  slide  is  returned  to  its  first  position,  the  cam-pin  travels  on  the  lower  side  of  the 
groove,  the  frog  turnig  freely  about  its  pivot,  and  the  front  of  the  block  is  forced 
to  descend  to  the  level  of  the  chamber.  The  piece  is  cocked  in  the  act  of  opening 
the  breech-block  by  the  cam-pin  coming  in  contact  with  the  hammer  and  pressing 
it  back  until  the  nose  of  the  sear  enters  the  notch.  At  the  front  of  the  breech-block 
is  a  movable  face  or  head,  which  is  forced  against  the  base  of  the  cartridge  during 
the  closing  of  the  breech.  On  the  opening  of  the  latter  the  head  drops  away,  and 
thus  facilitates  extraction  of  the  shells. 

The  magazine  is  known  as  the  Lee,  with  very  slight  modification.  It  is  attached 
to  the  under  side  of  the  breech-block,  and  rises  and  falls  within.  The  breech- 
block is  recessed  on  its  under  side  sufficiently  to  receive  a  single  cartridge.  When 
this  cartridge  is  drawn  forward  into  the  chamber,  another  from  the  magazine 
takes  its  right  place  in  the  block.  It  will  be  seen  that  the  complete  backward  mo- 
tion on  the  slide  causes  the  block  to  descend,  the  shell  to  be  pushed  out  on  its  upper 
surface,  and  then  the  block  to  fly  up  and  eject  the  empty  shell ;  the  forward  mo- 
tion then  carries  a  cartridge  from  the  magazine  into  the  chamber  and  causes  the 
block  to  descend  to  its  proper  position  in  rear  of  it.  A  cut-off  may  be  so  turned 
as  to  limit  the  backward  motion  of  the  side,  thus  preventing  the  extractor  passing 
beyond  the  shoulder.  The  block  then  cannot  rise  and  bring  the  cartridges  from 
the  magazine  opposite  the  chamber.  The  piece  may  then  consequently  be  used  as 
a  single  loader.  When  the  cut-ofT  is  turned  vertically  downward,  the  piece  may  be 
used  as  a  magazine  gun.     If  turned  wpward  to  its  farthest  extent,  a  small  pin,  on 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS  295 

its  under  side,  will  enter  a  notch  in  the  slide  and  lock  it,  and  therefore  the  breech- 
block. Three  motions  are  necessary  to  operate  this  piece  as  a  mag-azine  .qun,  viz., 
the  movement  of  the  slide  to  the  rear,  to  the  front,  and  the  pulling  of  the  trigger. 

SPENCER-ROPER  SHOTGUN. 

This  repeating  shotgun  is  the  joint  production  of  Messrs.  C.  M.  Spencer  and 
Sylvester  H.  Roper.  The  distinctive  feature  of  the  arm,  as  now  manufactured  by 
Mr.  Francis  Bannerman,  of  New  York  City,  is  that  the  left  hand  is  available  for 
something  more  than  a  support  to  the  barrel  and  as  a  regulator  of  the  aim;  but 
retaining  these  functions,  becomes  an  essential  factor  of  the  system,  relieving 
its  neighbor  of  a  large  portion  of  its  duties  while  itself  actuating  the  retaining  pro- 
cesses. The  original  model  developing  Messrs.  Spencer  and  Roper's  idea,  carried 
II  cartridges,  which  could  be  discharged  at  "will"  in  4  seconds.  The  model, 
as  recently  perfected,  has  a  capacity  of  6  cartridges  (experience  having  demon- 
strated that  to  be  the  suitable  number  for  use  and  the  best  working  of  the  piece), 
of  which  5  are  held  in  the  tubular  magazine  beneath  the  barrel  and  i  placed  in  the 


chamber.  The  gun  has  no  fore-arm,  or  tip,  of  wood ;  but  about  6  inches  in  front 
of  the  frame  embracing  the  magazine,  and  well  insulated  from  the  possibly  heated 
barrel,  is  placed  a  bulge,  of  the  same  material  as  the  stock  or  of  hard  rubber 
termed  the  hand-rest,  which  connects  with  the  flat  side-bars  or  switches,  occupying 
the  interval  between  the  barrel  and  the  magazine.  The  manipulation  of  the  gun  is 
exceedingly  simple.  When  once  the  magazine  is  filled,  the  piece  is  brought  to  the 
shoulder,  and  the  fingers  of  the  right  hand  in  position  about  the  trigger-guard, 
while  the  left  hand  grasps  the  hand-rest  and  poises  the  piece.  A  backward  and 
forward  movement  of  the  hand-rest  throws  a  cartridge  into  the  carrier-block, 
cocks  the  hammer,  projects  the  charge  into  the  gun,  and  the  trigger  is  pulled. 
The  rapidity  of  emptying  the  magazine  being  limited  only  by  the  natural  dexterity 
and  experience  of  the  operator. 

The  features  of  the  late  1900  model  are  shown  in  the  drawing.     Double  ex- 


296  AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 

tractors  grip  the  cartridge  shell  on  each  side,  making  it  almost  impossible  for 
nitro  powder  to  expand  the  cartridge  shell  in  the  chamber  of  the  gun.  The  maga- 
zine on  the  model  1890  gun  caused  some  inconvenience  in  taking  the  gun  apart, 
owing  to  the  spring  and  follower  being  detached.  In  this  new  model  the  spring 
and  follower  are  fixed  permanently  in  the  magazine.  The  "Take  Down"  features 
consist  of  two  thumb  latches — one  on  the  magazine  screw,  and  the  other  on  the 
screw  that  holds  the  barrel  when  in  place.  It  is  only  necessary  to  turn  these  two 
latches  in  order  to  take  out  the  magazine  and  unscrew  the  barrel. 

SPORER  GUN. 

In  this  magazine  gun,  the  magazine  reservoir,  holding  five  cartridges,  is  in  the 
butt-stock,  and  from  it  through  a  tube  the  cartridges  pass  into  the  receiver.  A 
cut-oflF  permits  the  magazine  to  be  held  in  reserve  during  single-loading  fire. 

SPRINGFIELD  RIFLE. 

This  arm  operates  in  a  similar  manner  to  the  old  English  Snider.  The  breech- 
block is  pivoted  to  the  barrel,  and  moves  upward  and  forward,  leaving  an  opening 
sufficiently  large  to  enable  the  cartridge  to  be  inserted  in  the  barrel  with  facility. 
The  breech-block  may  then  be  returned  into  firing  position,  and  the  arm  fired.  A 
lock  with  an  ordinary  hammer  is  employed.  This  arm  has  been  very  extensively 
used  in  the  United  States  Army.    Caliber,  45  ;  charge,  70  grains  black ;  bullet,  405 


grains.  Eighty  grains  was  the  limit  powder  charge  that  could  be  used,  as  the 
cam  latch  worked  loose  with  a  greater  charge.  The  first  model  had  a  bullet  of  500 
grains  weight,  and  as  a  consequence  kicked  terribly.  The  barrel  is  of  low  steel. 
Its  length  is  32.6  inches ;  the  thickness  of  metal  at  the  breech  is  0.297  inch ;  from 
this  point  it  gradually  diminishes  (the  exterior  element  being  a  slightly  re-entering 


curve),  to  the  muzzle  where  it  is  0.14  inch.  The  rifling  consists  of  three  plain 
concentric  grooves,  0.235  inch  wide,  equal  in  width  to  the  lands,  0.005  inch  deep, 
with  a  uniform  twist  of  one  turn  in  twenty-two  inches.  The  grooves  start  from 
the  center  of  the  throat ;  the  bottom  of  them  is,  therefore,  not  continuous  with  the 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS  297 

surface  of  the  chamber.     The  chamber  extends  2.155  i^ch  from  the  base  of  the 
bore,  and  is  made  slii^htly  conical  so  as  to  faciHtatc  the  withdrawal  of  the  cartridge 


case.     At  the  mouth  of  the  chamber  a  counter-bore  is  cut  for  the  head  of  the 
cartridge,  and  a  slot  is  cut  in  the  barrel  for  the  reception  of  the  ejector. 

For  all  around  work,  the  author  highly  approves  an  8-pound  model  of  the 
Springfield,  designed  for  ofilicers.  The  length  of. this  barrel  is  26  inches.  The 
stock  is  checked  "fore  and  aft"  the  breech,  and  is  tipped  with  white  metal.  The 
rifle  has  a  plain  "buck-horn"  sight  on  the  barrel,  graduated  like  the  service-sight, 
and  also  has  peep  and  globe  sights.  The  globe-sight  can  be  folded  down  on  the 
barrel  when  its  pin  becomes  an  open  front-sight,  which  is  used  with  the  buck-horn 
sight.  The  peep  has  a  lateral  as  well  as  a  vertical  motion,  and  by  turning  the  screw 
and  loosening  it,  may  be  adjusted  to  counteract  any  deviation  to  the  right  or  left. 
When  at  the  bottom  of  the  slide,  the  peep  is  adjusted  for  a  range  of  50  yards; 
when  at  the  top  it  is  adjusted  for  a  range  of  1,100  yards.  The  peep-sight  may  be 
folded  down  on  the  barrel  either  forward  or  backward.  In  the  former  position, 
the  peep  should  be  pushed  to  the  bottom  of  the  slide,  or  the  hammer,  in  being 
cocked,  will  strike  it.  The  globe-sight  is  distant  from  the  buck-horn  and  peep- 
sights  20.8  inches  and  32.75  inches,  respectively.  The  rifle  has  a  "single-set"  trig- 
ger. When  set,  it  is  a  hair-trigger ;  when  unset,  it  is  the  ordinary  service-trigger, 
requiring  a  pull  of  about  4  pounds. 

SPRINGFIELD-ALLIN  RIFLE. 

This  arm  is  a  modification  of  the  Springfield  rifle.  The  cam-latch  and  thumb- 
piece  are  in  one  piece  insead  of  being  riveted  together  as  in  the  1870  model.  It 
is  fired  by  a  center-lock,  the  main  spring  of  which  lies  under  the  receiver,  being 
dovetailed  into  it  at  its  forward  end.  The  firing-pin  screw  is  replaced  by  a  stop- 
pin,  which  is  kept  in  place  by  the  breech-block  cap.  In  another  model  the  lock- 
plate  is  of  uniform  thickness,  about  one-half  that  of  the  1870  model,  the  main- 
spring bolster  being  replaced  by  a  screw.  The  shape  of  the  hammer  and  of  the 
surrounding  parts  are  changed,  so  as  to  promote  economy  of  manufacture  and 
ease  of  manipulation. 

SPRINGFIELD-JONES  MAGAZINE  GUN. 

This  arm  is  known  as  the  Springfield  1870  model,  with  alterations  and  additions 


298  AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 

as  follows :  The  firinc^-pin  fjiiard  has  been  removed,  and  the  outer  end  of  the 
thumb-piece  slotted  in  the  direction  of  the  axis  of  the  barrel.  This  slot  receives 
one  end  of  a  lever,  which  is  secured  by  a  pin  about  which  it  may  turn  in  a  direction 
toward  the  under  side  of  the  thumb-piece.  A  flat  spring  lying  in  a  groove  in  the 
upper  surface  of  the  thumb-jiiece — to  which  it  is  secured  by  a  screw,  bearing  on  a 
tlat  and  against  a  shoulder  on  the  upper  extremity  of  the  lever,  returns  it  to  posi- 
tion and  limits  its  motion  in  the  reverse  direction.  An  arm,  securely  attached  by 
the  tumbler-screw  to  the  hammer,  on  which  a  shoulder  has  been  cut  to  prevent 
rotation,  bears  against  the  lower  end  of  the  lever  and  raises  the  thumb-piece  when 
the  hanuncr  is  brought  to  the  half  or  full-cock,  and  thus  unlocks  the  breech-block. 
A  piston,  pivoted  to  the  left  side  of  the  breech-block,  is  surrounded  by  a  spiral 
spring,  the  rear  end  of  which  finds  a  bearing  on  a  metal  plate  attached  to  the  left- 
hand  side  of  the  stock,  the  front  of  which  is  bent  at  right  angles  to  the  receiver. 
A  hole  through  the  plate  admits  the  rear  end  of  the  piston.  When  the  breech- 
block is  unlocked  by  the  cocking  of  the  hammer  the  spiral  spring  throws  up  the 
block  and  extracts  the  empty  shell.  The  well  of  the  receiver  has  been  deepened  at 
the  rear,  and  the  lower  part  of  the  breech-pin  cut  away  to  form  a  channel  through 
which  the  cartridges  may  feed  from  the  magazine,  which  is  in  the  butt-stock 

SPRINGFIELD-STILLMAN  RIFLE. 

In  :his  modified  Springfield  rifle,  the  lock  is  set  in  a  prolongation  of  the  tang  of 
the  breech-screw,  and  is  altered  mainly  from  the  Sharps  lock.  The  firing-pin 
.^crcw  is  replaced  by  a  stop-pin  kept  in  place  by  the  breech-block  cap.  In  a  later 
model,  the  shape  of  the  ejector-stud  is  modified,  and  a  lining  inserted  into  the 
receiver,  witli  the  intention  of  facilitating  the  introduction  of  the  cartridges. 

STARR  RIFLE. 

An  old  breech-loading  arm,  using  linen  cartridges  and  fired  with  percussion 
caps.  After  considerable  use  in  government  service,  several  thousand  of  these 
guns  were  issued  to  the  various  Indian  tribes  for  sporting  purposes.  They  are 
now  seldom  seen.     The  caliber  was  .54. 

STETSON  MAGAZINE  GUN. 

This  rille  has  a  fixed  chamber,  closed  by  a  movable  1)reech-block,  which  slides  in 
the  line  of  the  barrel  by  indirect  action,  being  moved  by  levers  from  below.  Tlie 
arm  resembles,  externally,  in  its  operation,  and  in  many  of  its  features,  the  Win- 
chester. It  is  locked  in  the  act  of  closing  the  lever-guard,  by  a  projection  on  the 
bolt  being  thrown  upward  in  front  of  a  shoulder  in  the  ujiper  portion  of  the  frame. 
The  empty  shells  are  ejected  through  the  same  l.nteral  ojx-ning  ])y  wliich  the  niaga- 
zin^is  charged.     It  is  ])rovided  with  a  cul-olT  for  the  magazine. 


AMERICAN    S  M  A  L  L   A  RMS  299 

STEVENS  ARMS. 

For  forty  years  the  Stevens  rifles  have  been  celebrated  for  their  accuracy 
and  durabihty.  In  all  the  recent  leading  events  they  have  been  in  the  foreground, 
both  for  indoor  shooting  at  gallery  ranges  and  for  outdoor  shooting  at  the 
longer  ranges.  They  are  regularly  made  for  the  following  cartridges :  .22  short 
rim  fire,  .22  long  rifle  rim  fire,  .22  7-45  rim  fire,  .25  Stevens  rim  fire,  .32  long  rim 
fire,  .25-20  Stevens  center  fire,  .25-21  Stevens  center  fire,  .25-25  Stevens  center 
fire,  .32  long  center  fire,  .32-20  center  fire,  .32  "Ideal,"  .32-40  center  fire  and 
the  .38-55  center  fire.  The  .32-40  center  fire  cartridge  is  quite  famous  as  a 
target  and  hunting  cartridge.  No  more  accurate  shooting  cartridge  is  made, 
and  it  can  be  recommended  as  particularly  suited  for  target  work  at  200  yards 
in  all  kinds  of  weather.  In  the  factory  cartridge  are  used  40  grains  of  F.  G. 
black  powder  and  a  grooved  bullet  165  grains  in  weight.  The  target  shooters, 
however,  generally  prefer  the  185  grain  bullet,  grooved  or  patched,  while  for 
hunting  purposes  the  lighter  bullets,  with  varying  charges  of  powder,  may  be 
used.  The  .38-55  center  fire  cartridge  is  equally  accurate  for  target  work,  while 
more  popular  and  efficient  as  a  hunting  cartridge,  owing  to  its  greater  caliber 
and  weight  of  bullet.  The  factory  cartridge  has  a  255  grain  bullet,  and  a  charge 
of  F.  G.  black  powder,  48  grains  in  weight.  For  target  work  the  330  grain 
bullet,  grooved  or  patched,  with  the  shell  full  of  powder,  gives  the  best  results. 
With  this  load  (using  the  everlasting  shell)  the  finest  records  have  been  made. 
The  diameter  of  the  bullet  is  .375. 

The  Ideal  rifle,  shown  in  Figure  i,  is  a  single  shot  rifle  for  target  and  hunt- 


FIGURE  I. 

ing  purposes,  and  combines  in  one  arm  all  the  features  developed  by  years  of 
experience  and  practice.  The  "hang"  is  perfect,  the  outline  graceful  and 
attractive,  while  the  action  is  simple,  strong  and  durable.  It  is  a  take  down 
rifle.  The  importance  of  this  feature  cannot  be  overestimated.  There  is  the 
convenience  of  carrying  your  rifle  in  a  Victoria  case,  or  of  packing  in  small 
compass  for  traveling  (as,  for  instance,  in  a  trunk),  and  when  you  are  ready 
for  it,  use  it.  Then  there  is  the  advantage  of  having  several  barrels  for  one 
stock  and  frame.  The  combination  makes  several  rifles,  each  just  as  good  as 
a  whole  rifle,  while  the  expense  is  much  less..  The  rifleman  may  have  a  short, 
light  .22  caliber  barrel  for  short  range;  a  .25  center  fire  barrel  of  medium  or 


300  AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 

heavy  weight  for  target  and  small  game;  a  .32-40  and  a  .38-55,  of  suitable 
weights,  for  heavier  shooting.  Moreover,  these  barrels  will  each  give  fully  as 
good  results  as  so  many  complete  rifles.  Every  rifleman  knows  the  value. of  a 
perfect  trigger-pull,  and  the  difficulty  of  getting  several  rifles  having  exactly 
the  same  pull.  Where  one  stock  and  several  barrels  are  used,  this  is  entirely 
overcome.  These  rifxes  are  all  made  to  "take  down."  The  barrel  is  threaded 
and  screws  into  the  frame  in  the  usual  way,  where  it  is  held  securely  by  a  barrel- 
screw,  which  passes  through  the  frame  from  below.  To  detach  the  barrel,  throw  the 
lever  down,  loosen  the  barrel-screw  and  unscrew  the  barrel  from  the  frame.  To 
put  the  rifle  together,  sec  that  the  point  of  barrel-screw  is  drawn  out,  so  the 
threads  on  the  barrel  will  escape  it.  When  two  barrels  are  used  on  the 
same  stock,  one  a  rim  fire  and  the  other  a  center  fire,  this  necessitates  two  sets 
of  breech-blocks,  extractors  and  levers.  To  remove  the  breech-blocks,  take  out 
the  lever  and  breech-block  screw,  when  the  block,  extractor  and  lever  will  drop 
out.  To  replace,  lay  the  extractor  in  place  on  the  block.  Push  the  block  into 
place  with  the  lever  dropped  down,  and  insert  the  lever-s6rew,  then  the  block- 
screw.     Draw  the  lever  to  place. 

The  Little  Krag,  No.  65,  shown  in  Figure  2,  is  the  latest  Stevens  production. 
It  has  a  round  barrel  of  the  standard  length  of  20  inches  and  a  single  trigger. 


^^       ^^^ 


Figure  2. 


It  takes  the  .22  long  rifle  rim  fire  cartridge  and  will  also  shpot  C  B.  caps,  .22 
short  or  long.  It  has  a  bead  front  sight  and  a  rear  peep.  The  weight  is  3^4 
pounds,  and  the  arm  bids  fair  to  becoming  very  popular. 

The  well-known  Ideal  range  rifle  is  made  for  .22  short,  .22  long  rifle.  .2$ 
Stevens  and  .^2  long  rim  fire  cartridges;  .25-20  Stevens,  .25-21,  .32-40  and  .38-55 
center  fire  cartridges.  Standard  length  of  barrel  for  rim  fire  cartridges,  26 
inches;  for  center  fire,  28  inches.  Weight  (with  the  standard  No.  2  barrel),  26 
inches,  is  7f  pounds.  With  the  No.  3  barrel,  i  to  i^  pounds  heavier;  with  the 
No.  I  barrel,  i  pound  lighter. 

The  Ideal  Schuetzen  special  rifle,  shown  in  Figure  3,  is  designed  to  meet  all 
the  requirements  of  riflemen  who  want  the  best.     No  expense  has  been  spared 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS  301 

to  attain  this  end.  The  best  points  of  the  most  approved  models  have  been 
adopted,  making  this  the  most  complete  rifle  ever  made  for  the  style  of  shooting 
in  vogue  among  German  riflemen.  Every  rifle  is  carefully  tested  from  a  machine 
rest,  and  a  3f-inch  group  of   lo  shots  made  at  200  yards,  using  the  .32-40  or 


FIGURE  3. 

•38-55  cartridges.  The  barrel  is  half-octagon ;  double  set  triggers,  lever  of  special 
design.  The  muzzle  sight  is  a  hood  attached  to  a  fixed  base,  with  interchangeable 
discs.  The  wind^-gauge  movement  is  secured  on  the  Vernier  by  a  sliding  bar 
with  screw  attachment.  Made  for  the  .32-40  and  .38-55  cartridges,  with  extra 
barrels  to  order  for  the  .25-20  and  .25-21  center  fire  cartridges  and  the  .22  short, 
.22  long  rifle  and  .25  Stevens  rim  fire  cartridges. 

The  Vernier  Hunters'  Pet  rifle  is  shown  in  Figure  4.  It  has  a  half-octagon 
barrel,  Beach  combination  front  sight,  open  rear  sight  and  Vernier  peep  sight; 
detachable  skeleton  stock.  With  these  sights  we  have  a  rifle  which  can  be 
changed  instantly  from  a  hunting  to  a  target  rifle,  and  vice  versa.  It  is  made 
in  three  calibers  for  the  following  cartridges :  .22  long  rifle  rim  fire,  .25  rim 
fire  and  .32  long  rim  fire.     With  an  18-inch  barrel,  the  weight  is  5f  pounds.  * 


FIGURE  4. 


The  Vernier  New  Model  Pocket  rifle,  shown  in  Figure  5,  has  a  half -octagon 

barrel.  Beach  combination  front  sight,  open  rear  sight  and  Vernier  peep  sight. 

With  the  open  rear  sight  on  the  barrel,  combined  with  the  Beach  and  Vernier 

sights,  we  have  a  rifle  which  can  be  changed  instantly  from  a  hunting  ta  a  target 

rifle,  and  vice  versa.     In  three  calibers  for  the  following  cartridges :  .22  long 
*Not  now  manufactured. 


302  AMERICAN    SMALL    ARMS 

rim  fire,   .25   rim  fire  and  .32  long-  rim  fire.     The  weight  varies  from  2  to  2^ 

1 .,= ^ .L 


FIGURE  5. 

pounds,  according-  to  the  length  of  barrel. 

The  Stevens  Favorite  rifle,  Figure  6,  is  a  strong  and  thoroughly-made  arm, 
perfect  in  symmetry,  safe,  accurate  and  portable.  For  this  rifle  the  standard 
length  of  barrel  is  22  inches ;  it  is  octagon  to  forward  end  of  fore-end,  and 
round  the  rest  of  its  length.  The  stock  is  finely  modelled  and  has  a  shotgun  butt. 
The  weight  of  the  rifle  complete  is  4^  pounds.  The  action  has  a  strong,  case- 
hardened  frame  and  solid  breech-block.  When  the  lever  is  down,  an  unobstructed 
'/iew  of  the  inside  of  the  barrel  may  be  had,  and  the  barrel  can  be  easily  cleaned 
from  the  breech,  without  taking  the  rifle  apart.  This  is  a  great  advantage,  as 
the  only  way  to  clean  a  small  bore  perfectly  is  to  insert  the  rod  at  one  end  and 
draw  the  cloth  through  the  barrel.     It  is  made  to  take  down.     To  one  stock  and 


FIGURE  6. 
frame  may  be  fitted  barrels  of  three  different  calibers,  viz. ,-.22,  .25  or  .32-caliber 
rifled  barrels,  and  also  .22  and  .32-caliber  shot  barrels.  One  breech-block  answers 
for  both  the  .22  and  .25,  but  for  the  .32  rifle  or  shot  cartridge  an  extra  breech-block 
and  lever  are  -necessary.  This  rifle  cannot  be  supplied  to  use  center  fire  cart- 
ridges. It  is  made  for  the  .22  long  rifle,  .25  Stevens  and  .32  long  rim  fire  only. 
The  short,  long  and  conical  can  be  used  with  good  results  in  rifles  chambered  for 
the  .22  long  rifle  cartridges.  B.  B.  caps  and  shot  cartridges  should  never  be  used 
in  .22  caliber  rifled  barrels.  The  .32  short  rim  fire  cartridges  can  be  used  satis- 
factorily in  rifles  chambered  for  the  .32  long  rifle.  The  Favorite  with  a  20-inch 
barrel  is  a  most  convenient  rifle  for  bicyclists. 

The  Stevens  wind-gauge  vernier  sight,  shown  in  Figure  7,  presents  a  neater 
appearance  than  the  ordinary  mid-range  A^ernier,  for  the  thumb-screw  at  the  top 
has  been  done  away  with,  and  the  leaf  otherwise  shortened.     The  elevation   is 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 


303 


secured  by  the  rotating  knurled  thimble  in  the  center  of  the  leaf,  under  the  eye- 
cup.  Windage  is  obtained  by  means  of  the  thumb-screw  on  the  right  side  of 
eye-cup.  The  eye-cup  is  first  loosened,  when,  with  the  thumb-screw,  a  side 
motion  of  one-eighth  of  an  inch  either  way  is  obtained.  By  having  the  wind- 
gauge  on  the  vernier,  a  lower  base  on  the  muzzle  sight  is  possible,  thus  permit- 
ting the  vernier  to  be  shortened.  Then,  too,  the  danger  of  adjusting  a  muzzle 
wind-gauge  on  a  loaded  rifle  is  obviated.     This  sight  has  the  combination  eye-cup. 


FIGURE  8. 


FIGURE  7. 
which  permits  several  changes  in  size  of  aperture.  The  sight  is  made  with 
extreme  accuracy,  and  is  finely  finished.  The  eye-cup  shown  in  Figure  8  has 
apertures  of  six  different  sizes,  any  of  which  can  be  placed  upon  the  center  in 
the  most  perfect  manner  and  quickly,  thus  enabling  the  rifleman  to  select  a  size 
exactly  fitting  the  eye  for  any  kind  of  light,  and  also  to  match  up  with  the  front 
open  hunting  sight,  the  shaded  bead  or  aperture  for  fine  target  work.  As  all  men 
who  shoot  do  not  require  the  same  aperture  in  the  eye-cup,  even  under  the  same 
weather  conditions,  it  has  been  found  difficult  and  even  impossible  to  furnish  a 
standard  size  to  fit  all  eyes,  one  wishing  a  larger  and  one  a  smaller  aperture,  and 
the  writer  knows  several  shooters  who  use  three  or  four  dififerent  eye  pieces  for 
the  different  conditions  of  light.  This,  however,  is  inconvenient  in  changing, 
and  one  is  liable  to  lose  or  leave  at  home  the  one  he  most  needs  at  the  range  for 
some  particular  match.  By  using  the  combination  eye-cup  these  difficulties  are 
overcome,  and  I  most  heartily  recommend  it  to  all  who  desire  to  do  fine  work  with 
the  rifle. 

Among  the  younger  generation  of  riflemen  there  has  been,  until  recently,  an 
impression   that  telescope   sights  are  suitable   only   for  men   whose   eyesight  is 


304  AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 

failing,  and  for  the  target-shooter,  firing  from  a  rest.  This  is,  of  course,  a 
great  mistake,  and  the  number  of  riflemen  now  using  telescopes  for  hunting 
and  oflF-liand  work  is  constantly  growing.  The  tendency  is  toward  telescopes 
of  too  high  power.  Glasses  of  16  to  20  diameters  are  all  right  for  the  finest 
target  work,  but  are  unsuitable  for  hunting.  Every  error  of  holding  is  noticed 
and  magnified.  Then,  too,  the  higher  the  power  of  the  glass,  the  darker  the 
field  of  vision.  A  glass  of  4  to  10  diameters,  especially  designed  for  hunting, 
gives  a  large,  bright  field.  In  the  woods,  on  a  dark  day,  much  better  shooting 
is  done  with  such  a  glass  than  with  open  sights ;  while  many  riflemen  will  get 
better  results  at  the  target  also  than  wnth  a  high-power  telescope.  The  Stevens 
Arms  Company  handle  a  large  variety  of  telescopes.  The  features  of  the  best 
glasses  are,  the  arrangement  for  obtaining  elevation,  wide  field  of  vision  and 
brilliant  illumination — permitting  a  quick  sight  to  be  taken  and  good  shooting 
to  be  done  in  light  so  dim  that  ordinary  sights  could  not  be  used. 

The  Stevens  New  Model  Pocket  shot  gun  is  the  same  as  the  Xew  Model 
Pocket  rifle,  but  bored  smooth  and  choked.  It  uses  special  "Everlasting"  shells, 
.38  or  .44  caliber,  also  made  for  .38-40  and  .44-40  cartridges.  This  is  an  excel- 
lent gun  for  taxidermists,  as  it  can  be  carried  conveniently,  and  with  the  ever- 
lasting shells  one  may  load  with  any  size  of  shot  desired.  The  breech-loading 
single  barrel  shot  gun  is  made  in  12  and  14  gauge,  30-inch  barrel,  and  weighs 
6  to  7  pounds.     Also  12  gauge,  32-inch  barrel,  weighing  7  pounds. 

The  famous  Stevens  single-shot  pistols  are  made  after  several  models  for 
different  purposes.  The  largest,  the  Lord  model,  is  shown  in  Figure  9.  It  has 
a  larger  frame  and  a  much  larger  handle  than  the  other  models.  It  is  fitted 
with  open   wind-gauge   rear   sight   and   bead    front   sight    and    is   made   in   two 


FIGURE  9. 

calibers — .22  long  rifle  rim  fire  and  .22  rim  fire.  With  a  lo-inch  barrel,  the 
weight  is  3  pounds.  This  model  can  be  bored  and  rillod  for  almost  all  of  the 
American  pistol  cartridges,  but  few  are  made  for  larger  than  .25  caliber.  The 
late  Ira  Paine  used  the  Lord  model  pistol,  in  his  exhibitions. 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 


305 


The  Gould  model,  shown  in  Figure  lo,  is  used  by  many  experts.  It  is  fitted 
with  open  wind-gauge  rear  sight  and  bead  front  sight,  and  is  a  light  arm,  neither 
burdensome  to  carry  about,  nor  fatiguing  for  persons  of  moderate  strength  to 
shoot.     It  takes  the  .22  long  rifle  and  .25  rim  fire  cartridges.     With  a  lO-inch 


FIGURE  10. 


barrel,  it  weighs  about  2  pounds,  and  with  a  12-inch  barrel,  it  weighs  about  2^ 
pounds.  It  is  made  to  special  order  for  the  following  center  fire  cartridges: 
.32  long,  .38  long,  .32-34  S.  &  W.,  and  .38-44  S.  &  W. 

The  Conlin  model,  shown  in  Figure  11,  is  a  duplicate  of  the  Gould  model, 


FIGURE  II. 

with   the  exception  of  the   guard,  this   model  having  the  spur-guard,   which  is 
preferred  by  many  shooters. 

The  Diamond  model,  much  smaller  in  size,  is  made  in  the  following  istyles : 
No,  I,  a  6-inch  barrel,  with  globe  front  and  peep  sights,  weight  10  ounces; 
No.  2,  a  6-inch  barrel,  with  open  sights,  weight  10  ounces ;  No.  3,  a  6-inch  barrel, 
with  both  open  and  peep  sights,  weight  10  ounces ;  No.  4,  a  lo-inch  barrel,  with 
globe  front  and  peep  sights,  weight  12  ounces;  No.  5,  a  lo-inch  barrel,  with 
open  sights,  weight  12  ounces;  No.  6,  a  lo-inch  barrel,  with  both  open  and  peep 
sights,  weight  12  ounces. 


306 


AMERICAN   SMALL  ARMS 


There  are  two  other  models  made  by  the  Stevens  Arms  Company,  which  have 
barrels  3  and  3^  inches  in  length,  and  consequently  they  do  not  shoot  with  the 
accuracy  of  the  other  models.  They  weigh  one  pound  and  are  good,  reliable 
pocket  pistols,  combining  compactness  with  accuracy. 

To  operate  these  pistols,  half  cock  the  arm  and  press  the  stud  on  the  side 
which  releases  the  barrel,  which  will  tip  down,  thus  exposing  the  chamber  in 
which  the  cartridge  is  placed.  The  action  is  then  closed,  the  hammer  cocked, 
and  the  arm  discharged. 

The  Stevens  Maynard,  Jr.,  rifle,  shown  in  Figure  12,  recently  introduced,  is  a 
thoroughly  accurate  and  reliable  arm.  It  is  designed  to  replace  the  world  re- 
nowned Maynard  rifle,  the  first  breech-loading  rifle  made,  and  retains  that  rifle's 


FIGURE  12. 

Style  of  action.  It  is  machine  made  and  all  parts  are  true  to  gauge  and  inter- 
cliangeable.  It  has  an  18-inch  half -octagon  barrel,  measures  over  all  33  inches 
and  weighs  2f  pounds.  The  barrel  is  accurately  bored  and  rifled,  and  chambered 
for  the  .22  short  rim  fire  cartridge. 

The  new  Crack  Shot  rifle  is  highly  praised  for  accuracy  and  penetration.  It 
has  an  automatic  safety,  positive  in  action,  sliding  into  a  notch  in  the  hammer, 
thus  making  it  impossible  to  discharge  the  arm   until   we  are  ready  to  do  so. 

The  Stevens  new  single  barrel  shot  gun.  Figure  13,  has  just  been  perfected. 
It  is  bored  for  nitro  powder  and  made  in   12,   16  and  20  gauges,   with  barrels 


FIGURE  13. 

ranging  in  length  from  26  to  32  inches.  It  has  an  automatic  shell  ejector,  and 
a  special  device  by  which  the  operator  can  at  will  change  the  gun  from  an 
ejector  to  an  extractor  by  two  turns  of  the  screw. 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS  307 

SYRACUSE    HAMMERLESS  GUNS. 

These  guns  are  very  high  grade  and  are  made  especially  to  shoot  nitro  powder. 
The  12  gauge  weighs  from  634  to  8  pounds,  while  the  10  gauge  weighs  from  7 
to  10  pounds.  They  are  well  balanced  and  have  a  very  simple  mechanism.  There 
is  not  a  screw  in  the  locking  device.  There  is  a  total  absence  of  small  springs  and 
other  small  parts  liable  to  breakage  and  derangements,  the  entire  locking  mechan- 
ism being  hung  on  two  pins.  The  frame  is  not  cut  away  to  a  shell  to  receive  the 
mechanism  but  is  as  strong  and  simple  as  that  of  the  hammer  gun.  Owing  to  the 
simplicity  of  construction  these  guns  have  great  strength  and  durability.  The 
safety  device  is  very  strong  and  durable.  There  is  no  possibility  of  its  jarring  off 
and  causing  accidents. 

A  reference  to  the  sectional  drawing  will  show  that  the  cocking  arm,  hammer 
and  firing-pin  are  all  in  one  piece.  The  hammer  has  a  direct  bearing  on  the  lug 
with  no  intermediate  pieces,  making  it  the  easiest  and  simplest  cocking  device  ever 
used  on  a  hammerless  gun.     The  cocking  and  firing  mechanism  is  contained  in 


the  metal  frame,  thus  avoiding  the  cutting  away  and  weakening  of  the  stock,  a 
point  all  sportsmen  will  appreciate.  The  main  spring  forces  a  connection  between 
the  hammer  and  lug  through  the  agency  of  a  slot  in  the  hammer,  a  very  ingenious 
and  valuable  patent,  making  it  possible  to  take  the  barrels  off  and  put  them  on 
whether  the  hammers  are  up  or  down. 

The  fore-end  fastener  is  new  and  fastens  whether  the  barrels  are  on  or  off  the 
frame ;  there  is  no  trouble  to  attach  the  fore-end ;  it  drops  immediately  into  posi- 
tion. The  whole  gun  can  be  taken  apart  and  assembled  again  without  other  tools 
than  a  screw-driver,  a  feature  that  will  please.  The  ejecting  mechanism  consists 
of  two  springs  and  two  strikers,  which  give  a  direct  blow  to  the  extractors  in  a 
straight  line,  thereby  making  a  most  powerful  ejector.  The  entire  mechanism  is 
contained  in  the  fore-end,  therefore,  neither  the  frame  nor  the  barrels  are  cut  away 
and  weakened,  as  is  the  case  with  nearly  all  other  ejector  guns.  The  latest  prod- 
uct of  the  Syracuse  Arms  Company  is  known  as  The  Syracuse. 


308  AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 

THOMAS  GUN. 

This  brcccli-loadinc:  arm  has  a  fixed  chamber  closed  by  a  movable  breech-block, 
which  rotates  about  a  horizontal  axis  at  90  degrees  to  the  axis  of  the  barrel,  lying 
below  the  axis  of  the  barrel  and  in  front,  being  moved  from  above  by  a  thumb- 
piece  ;  as  it  descends  it  retracts  the  firing-pin  by  the  action  of  the  hammer-stop 
lever  on  the  projecting  head  of  the  retractor,  the  notched  body  of  which  engages 
with  a  notch  on  the  firing-pin,  and  it  also  presses  down  one  end  of  the  friction 
lever,  the  other  end  of  which  locks  the  sear  and  keeps  the  hammer  from  falling 
until  the  breech  is  closed.  It  is  closed  by  reversing  the  movement  of  the  block. 
The  mechanism  is  such  that  the  block  is  well  secured  against  the  effect  of  any  ac- 
cidental discharge  in  closing,  and  is  afterward  more  completely  locked  by  the 
descent  of  the  hammer  beneath  the  breech-block  when  the  piece  is  fired.  Extrac- 
tion and  ejection  are  essentially  the  same  as  in  the  Remington  rifle. 

TIESING  MAGAZINE  GUN. 

This  gun  belongs  to  that  system  in  which  a  fixed  chamber  is  closed  by  a  bolt] 
sliding  in  line  with  the  axis  of  the  barrel  and  operated  by  a  lever  from  below. 
The  breech-bolt  is  a  single  piece,  to  which  links  are  hinged  at  either  side.     These] 
links  are  in  turn  connected  b}-  a  knuckle-joint,  with  others,  hinged  to  the  receiver.] 
These  links  support  the  bolt  when  closed,  as  in  firing.    The  axes  of  the  pivot  about 
which  the  links  rotate  are  in  line  with  the  axis  of  the  bore.     The  construction  is) 
such  that  no  strain  comes  on  the  pivots.    The  upper  rear  ends  of  the  forward  links 
lock  in  the  receiver,  giving  additional  support  to  the  bolt.     A  groove  on  the  inner! 
surface  of  each  rear  link  receives  the  end  of  a  pin  in  the  breech-bolt  lever;  motion 
of  the  lever  is  consequently  accompanied  by  a  corresponding  motion  of  the  links j 
and,  through  them,  of  the  bolt.     The  hammer  is  cocked  by  the  end  of  the  firing- 
pin  when  the  lever  is  thrown  open. 

The  piece  is  fired  by  a  center-lock  of  the  usual  pattern.  The  magazine,  which] 
is  in  the  tip-stock,  is  loaded  through  a  gate  in  the  side  cover  of  the  receiver.  The] 
carrier  is  pivoted  at  the  rear  of  the  receiver.  The  upper  end  of  the  breech-boltj 
lever  is  slotted.  This  slot  receives  the  rear  portion  of  the  carrier.  When  the  leverj 
is  thrown  open  the  bottom  of  the  slot  strikes  an  arm,  rotating  the  carrier  about] 
its  hinge,  bringing  its  front  opposite  the  mouth  of  the  magazine  The  reverse 
motion  of  the  lever  raises  the  carrier  until  its  upper  surface  is  parallel  to  the  axisj 
of  the  bore. 

No  wiping  rod  is  provided  with  this  gun,  and  there  is  no  magazine  cut-ofT.  As 
a  magazine  gun,  three  motions  are  necessary  to  operate  it,  viz.,  opened,  closed, 
fired.  As  a  single  loader,  four  motions  are  necessary,  viz..  opened,  loaded,  closedj 
fired.    The  gun  carries  nine  cartridges  in  the  magazine  and  one  in  the  chamber. 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS  309 

TOWER  MUSKET. 

This  ancient  arm  from  the  Niagara  Frontier  had  quite  a  reputation.  It  was 
used  by  the  British  army  during  the  wars  of  1776  and  18 12.  It  was  afterwards 
made  in  this  country,  and  weighed  9  pounds  and  13  ounces.  The  lock-plate  is 
stamped  with  a  Crown  and  Tower.  The  arm  may  be  seen  in  the  collection  of  the 
Holland  Purchase  Historical  Society,  Batavia,  N.  Y. 

TRABUE  MAGAZINE  GUN. 

The  receiver  of  this  gun  is  bored  through  longitudinally  for  the  breech-bolt  in 
line  with  the  barrel,  and  also  below  the  barrel,  in  line  with  the  magazine,  which  is 
in  the  tip-stock.  It  is  also  cut  away  at  the  side,  forming  at  the  rear  a  shoulder  for 
locking  the  bolt,  and  at  the  same  time  an  opening  for  inserting  the  cartridges  into 
the  chamber  or  magazine,  and  also  for  ejecting  the  empty  shells. 

The  bolt  is  composed  of  three  principal  parts,  viz.,  the  body  or  locking-tube ; 
the  cocking-piece  or  hammer,  into  which  the  firing-pin  is  screwed,  and  the  bolt- 
head,  which  carries  the  extractor.  An  arm  of  the  latter  is  pivoted  in  a  slot  in  the 
bolt-head ;  a  small  spiral  spring  bearing  on  the  arm  above  the  pivot  causes  the 
hook  of  the  extractor  to  descend  after  it  has  passed  over  the  head  of  the  cart- 
ridge. The  front  part  of  the  firing-pin  passes  through  the  spiral  spring  and 
through  the  extractor-arm.  On  the  rear  of  the  locking-tube  is  a  small  projection, 
Avhich  enters  a  corresponding  notch  in  the  front  face  of  the  hammer.  When  the 
bolt  is  unlocked,  the  projection,  riding  out  of  the  notch,  cams  the  hammer  to  the 
rear,  withdrawing  the  point  of  the  firing-pin  within  the  face  of  the  bolt. 

The  magazine  is  loaded  through  the  receiver.  The  cartridges  descend  an  in- 
clined arm,  on  the  inner  side  of  the  guard,  when  a  finger  on  the  under  side  of  the 
bolt-head  forces  them  into  the  magazine.  They  are  prevented  from  escaping  the 
latter  by  a  spring-stop,  which  is  pivoted  to  the  left  stde  of  the  receiver  and  oper- 
ated by  a  push-button.  The  lower  end  of  the  stop  springs  through  an  opening  in 
the  side  of  the  receiver  just  in  front  of  the  mouth  of  the  magazine.  When  the 
piece  is  to  be  used  as  a  magazine  gun,  the  push-button  of  the  magazine-stop  is 
pushed  to  the  front,  the  first  cartridge  under  the  pressure  of  the  magazine-spring 
tacks  up  the  inclined  arm  of  the  guard  until  its  head  is  checked  by  a  notch  in  the 
receiver.  If  the  bolt  then  be  closed,  the  finger  of  its  head  runs  under  the  cartridge 
and  raises  its  front,  when  the  bolt  forces  the  cartridge  into  the  chamber. 

When  the  piece  is  to  be  used  as  a  single  loader,  which  can  only  be  done  when 
the  magazine  is  empty,  the  cartridge-follower  runs  out  from  the  magazine  and 
forms  a  floor,  so  to  speak,  to  the  receiver,  so  that  the  cartridge,  on  being  inserted 
into  the  receiver,  is  in  line  with  the  barrel.  The  closing  of  the  bolt  then  forces  it 
into  the  chamber. 


310  AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 

TURNBULL  REVOLVER. 
An  accurate  repeating  revolver,  which  fires  sixteen  shots  without  reload- 
ing, has  been  recently  invented  by  W.  J.  Turnbull,  of  New  Orleans.  It  has 
but  three  working  parts,  is  light  in  weight,  cannot  possible  get  out  of  order, 
and  should  any  of  the  cartridges  fail  to  fire,  all  that  is  necessary  is  to  press 
the  trigger  again  to  bring  another  cartridge  into  position  and  fire  it.  The 
handle  of  the  pistol  is  the  magazine  and  contains  a  chain  of  sixteen  car- 
tridges. This  chain  is  moved  with  each  pressure  of  the  trigger,  the  same  pres- 
sure firing  one  cartridge  and  pushing  the  next  into  position.  The  pistol  is  so 
constructed  that  a  trigger  is  always  ready  to  be  pressed  and  therefore,  the 
weapoti  can  be  fired  as  rapidly  as  the  operator  can  press  the  trigger.  There  are 
four  triggers,  all  of  one  piece  of  moial.  and  revolving  so  that  while  one  of  the 
triggers  is  ready  for  the  pressure  of  the  finger  another  is  moving  the  hanimer 
into  position,  and  a  third  is  ready  to  fall  into  place  within  the  trigger  guard. 

UPDEGRAFF  .RIFLE. 

This  breech-loading  small-arm  has  a  fixed  chamber  closed  by  a  movable  breech- 
block, which  rotates  about  a  horizontal  axis  at  (jo  degrees  to  the  axis  of  the  barrel, 
lying  below  the  axis  of  the  barrel  and  in  front,  being  moved  from  above  by  a 
thumb-piece.  By  bringing  the  hammer  to  the  full  cock,  a  link  connecting  its  under 
surface  with  that  of  the  breech-block  throws  the  latter  down  into  the  position  of 
loading.  The  hammer  when  released  moves  forward  to  the  half-cock  notch,  and 
changes  its  point  of  bearing  on  the  block  to  the  other  side  of  the  center  of  motion, 
by  engaging  with  a  second  link  like  that  above  mentioned.  As  the  breech-block 
opens  the  firing-pin  is  withdrawn.  The  piece  is  clorcJ  by  again  bringing  the 
hammer  to  the  full-cock,  the  action  of  the  link  being  reversed  from  the  change 
of  its  bearing  on  the  block.  This  can  also  be  done  bv  hand  in  the  usual  way.  The 
piece  is  locked  by  the  descent  of  the  hammer  beneath  the  block  when  the  piece  is 
fired.  Extraction  is  accomplished  by  a  disk  pivoted  on  a  hub  formed  on  the  side 
of  the  breech-block,  and  i.rovided  with  the  necessary  radial  arms.  This  disk  is 
recessed  for  the  head  of  the  firing-pin  retractor.  Ejection  is  secured  by  accelerat- 
ing the  movement  of  the  extractor,  by  a  quick  blow  which  it  receives  from  the 
nearest  link,  at  its  release  in  the  act  of  opening  the  piece. 

VANCHOATE  GUN. 

This  breech-loading  rifle  has  a  fixed  chamber  closed  by  a  movable  breech-block, 
which  slides  in  the  line  of  the  barrel  by  direct  action.  It  is  opened  by  first  cocking 
the  piece,  then  raising  the  liandlc  of  the  breech-bolt  to  a  vertical  position,  and  then 
withdrawing  the  bolt  until  it  is  arrested  by  striking  against  the  upper  end  of  the 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS  311 

recoil  screw.  In  raising  the  handle,  the  beveled  surface  of  the  head  of  the  firing- 
pin  bears  against  the  tip  of  the  recoil-screw,  and  thus  positively  retracts  the  firing- 
pin.  In  withdrawing  the  bolt,  it  rides  over  the  hammer  and  presses  it  back  to  the 
full-cock.  The  piece  is  closed  by  reversing  the  motion  of  the  bolt.  The  tip  of  the 
recoil-screw  prevents  the  firing-pin  from  moving  forward  until  the  breech  is  fully 
closed.  It  is  locked  by  the  base  of  the  bolt-handle  falling  into  a  mortise  in  the 
side  of  the  receiver.  The  piece  is  fired  by  a  center-lock  of  the  usual  pattern.  Ex- 
traction is  accomplished  by  a  spring-hook  upon  the  side  of  the  bolt.  Ejection  is 
caused  by  a  sliding  ejector  playing  into  a  groove  in  the  bottom  of  the  bolt,  and,  in 
the  act  of  withdrawing  the  bolt,  struck  forcibly  against  the  tip  of  the  recoil-screw. 
This  throws  the  shell  around  the  hook  of  the  extractor  by  which  it  is  held,  and 
expels  it  completely  from  the  gun.  It  is  impossible  to  move  the  bolt,  in  this  arm, 
unless  the  hammer  is  at  full-cock. 

VOLCANO  PISTOL. 

This  curious  arm,  practically  a  small  Henry  repeating  rifle,  at  one  tune  promised 
to  rival  the  revolver.  It  derived  its  name  from  the  terrific  character  of  its  ex- 
plosion.   It  is  now  seldom  seen  or  used. 

WARD-BURTON  RIFLE. 

This  breech -loading  small  arm  has  a  fixed  chamber  closed  by  a  movable  breech- 
block which  slides  in  the  line  of  the  barrel  by  direct  action.  As  a  single  loader 
the  piece  is  opened  by  turning  up  the  handle  of  the  breech-bolt  so  as  to  disengage 
the  threads  of  the  sectional  screw,  and  then  withdrawing  the  bolt.  The  motion 
of  turning  up  the  handle,  in  opening  the  piece,  serves  to  revolve  the  firing-pin  on 
its  axis  and  to  cause  a  spiral  shoulder  near  its  head  to  bear  against  a  correspond- 
ing surface  into  which  the  back  of  the  firing-pin  guide  is  formed.  The  point  of 
the  firing-pin  is  thus  retracted  from  the  face  of  the  bolt  in  the  closing  of  the  piece, 
so  as  to  avoid  the  accidental  explosion  of  the  cartridge  during  this  operation.  In 
turning  down  the  handle  these  shoulders  are  no  longer  opposed,  and  the  firing- 
pin  may  then  be  driven  forward  in  the  usual  way.  For  a  similar  reason  the  face 
of  the  bolt  is  made  somewhat  concave. 

The  piece  is  fired  by  a  concealed  lock  moved  by  a  spiral  mainspring.  The  piece 
is  cocked  by  compressing  the  mainspring  by  means  of  the  firing-pin,  which  resting 
upon  it,  and  catching  on  the  sear-bolt  in  closing,  is  held  back  against  the  resist- 
ance of  the  mainspring,  while  the  breech-bolt  passes  by,  to  the  extent  of  the  throw 
permitted  the  firing-pin.  To  fire  the  piece,  the  sear-bolt  is  drawn  down  out  of 
the  way  of  the  trigger.  To  prevent  the  sear-bolt  from  accidentally  slipping  off  the 
shoulder  of  the  firing-pin  when  the  mainspring  is  compressed,  the  surfaces  in  con- 


312  AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 

tact  are  intcrnotched,  the  annular  groove  so  formed  on  the  firing-pin,  being  cui, 
so  as  to  permit  the  passage  of  the  sear-bolt,  when  the  breech-bolt  is  turned  down 
into  the  position  of  firing.  Extraction  is  accomplished  by  a  spring-hook  recessed 
on  top  of  the  bolt,  and  riding  over  the  rim  of  the  cartridge  in  closing,  and  ejection 
by  a  loose  pin  playing  through  the  face  of  the  bolt  diametrically  opposite  to  the 
extractor.  This  pin  strikes  the  front  of  the  sear-bolt  in  opening  the  piece.  It 
thereby  impinges  against  the  lower  edge  of  the  cartridge  head,  and  throws  the 
cartridge-shell  upward  around  the  hook  of  the  extractor,  by  which  it  is  held,  until 
it  is  clear  of  the  gun.  The  piece  may  be  dismounted  by  turning  aside  a  stop-screw 
beneath  the  horizontal  arm  of  the  trigger.  The  sear-bolt  may  then  be  pulled  down 
out  of  the  slot  in  the  bottom  of  the  breech-bolt,  so  that  the  bolt  may  be  withdrawn. 

As  a  magazine  gun  it  is  opened  as  just  described;  and  in  drawing  back  the 
breech-bolt  the  front  end  of  the  slot  in  its  lower  surface  strikes  the  upper  lever- 
arm  of  the  carrier,  and  throws  up  the  tray  in  which  its  front  part  is  formed.  This 
tray  supports  a  cartridge  slantingly,  so  that  the  upper  portion  of  the  cartridge 
head  shall  project  slightly  above  the  bottom  of  the  groove  in  which  the  bolt  slides, 
while  the  point  of  the  bullet  is  opposite  the  mouth  of  the  chamber.  The  carrier  is 
kept  in  this  position  by  the  action  of  the  carrier-lever  spring. 

By  reversing  the  movement  of  the  bolt,  its  face  catches  against  the  head  of  the 
cartridge  and  shoves  it  up  the  incline  of  the  carrier  into  the  chamber.  As  its  move- 
ment is  completed  the  back  end  of  the  slot  strikes  the  carrier-lever  and  forces 
down  the  carrier  opposite  the  mouth  of  the  magazine.  In  its  descent  it  strikes  a 
spring  catch  magazine-stop  operating  to  restrain  the  issue  of  the  cartridges  from 
the  magazine,  and  allows  one  to  come  out  upon  the  tray. 

The  issue  of  cartridges  from  the  magazine  may  be  cut  ofif  by  a  slide  operated 
by  a  projecting  thumb-piece.  The  piece  may  then  be  used  as  a  single  loader,  hold- 
ing the  magazine  in  reserve. 

The  head  of  the  follower  is  covered  with  India  rubber  in  order  to  serve  as  a 
cushion  for  the  rebound  of  the  cartridges  in  firing. 

The  magazine  is  charged  from  below  by  drawing  back  the  bolt,  thus  raising  the 
carrier  and  exposing  the  mouth  of  the  magazine  for  the  successive  introduction  of 
the  cartridges. 

This  arm  uses  a  special  ammunition,  the  general  plan  of  which  is  that  of  the 
cup-anvil  service  cartridge.  The  fulminate  is  protected  from  accidental  ignition 
in  the  magazine  by  being  placed  at  the  apex  of  a  central  packet  formed  in  the 
cartridge-head.     See  Burton  Magazine  Gun. 

WESSON  PISTOL. 

Wesson  single  shot  pistols,   formerly  made  by  Frank  Wesson,  at   Worcester, 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS  313 

Mass.,  are  operated  as  follows :  The  hammer  is  slightly  raised  and  held  by  a  pin 
pressed  in  from  the  side;  a  projecting  stud  is  pressed  at  the  bottom  of  the  receiver, 
and  the  barrel  turned  over  to  one  side,  the  shell  of  the  exploded  cartridge  thrown 


(144  Ex  LONG  WESSON 


out  by  the  extractor.  These  arms  are  well  balanced,  fitted  with  good  sights  of 
various  styles  and  are  accurate.  They  are  much  used  by  marksmen  at  this  time, 
although  not  generally  on  the  market. 

WESTLY  RICHARDS  RIFLE. 

This  breech-loading  small  arm  has  a  fixed  chamber  closed  by  a  moveable  breech- 
block, which  rotates  about  a  horizontal  axis  at  90  degrees  to  the  axis  of  the  bar- 
rel, and  lying  above  the  axis  of  the  barrel  and  in  rear,  being  moved  from  below. 
In  its  general  features  this  arm  resembles  the  Martini,  having,  however,  the  lever 
separate  from  and  pivoted  in  front  of  the  guard,  and  by  its  movement  in  opening, 
cocking  the  true  hammer  lying  concealed  beneath  the  block,  and  impelled  by  a  flat 
mainspring  placed  below  the  barrel.  The  blow  of  the  hammer  is  directly  deliv- 
ered upon  the  cartridge,  a  groove  for  its  movement  being  cut  in  the  under  side  of 
the  breech-block.    The  usual  extractor  in  guns  of  this  class  is  employed. 

WHITE  GUN. 

In  this  magazine  gun  the  permanent  portion  of  the  magazine  mechanism  is  con- 
tained in  a  box  located  directly  below  the  receiver ;  the  remainder,  in  the  form  of 
a  light  packet,  is  introduced  into  the  magazine  with  the  cartridges  which  it  holds. 
This  packet  is  an  essential  portion  of  the  mechanism.    The  gun  has  a  cut-off. 

WHITNEY  RIFLE. 

At  the  special  request  of  President  Jefferson,  when  Secretary  of  State  in  Wash- 
ington's Administration,  Mr.  Eli  Whitney  undertook  the  manufacture  of  muskets 
for  the  United  States,  taking  as  a  model  the  Charleville  flint-lock,  that  being  the 
most  improved  arm  in  use  in  Europe.  In  presenting  his  views  to  Mr.  Jefferson 
in  reference  to  the  feasibility  of  making  all  arms  interchangeable,  Mr.  Whitney 
met  with  most  violent  opposition,  both  English  and  French  officers  ridiculing  the 
idea  as  an  impossibility,  and  claiming  that  each  arm  would  be  a  model  and  would 
cost  at  least  one  hundred  dollars.  Supported  by  the  Government,  Mr.  Whitney 
prosecuted  his  labors,  and  established  an  Armory  where  the  most  perfect  uni- 


314 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 


formity  of  parts  was  secured  to  the  great  satisfaction  of  his  friend,  Mr.  Jefferson. 
The  Springfield  Armory  was  established  in  the  year  1800,  and  the  system  invented 
by  Mr.  Whitney  was  put  in  force  there.  The  English  War  Department  was  forced 
to  adopt  the  same  system,  and  put  it  to  practical  use  in  1855  by  importing  a  large 
amount  of  American  machinery.  Since  that  date  other  European  governments 
have  adopted  the  same  general  system,  which  is  made  especially  necessary  in  the 
I)roper  manufacture  of  breech-loading  small  arms. 

The  sporting  rifk  weighs  9  to  10  pounds.  The  barrel  is  24  inches  long.  It  car- 
ries when  loaded  15  cartridges.    See  Kennedy  Rifle  and  Phoenix  Rifle. 

WHITEMORE  RIFLE. 

This  breech-loading  arm  has  a  fixed  chamber  closed  by  a  movable  breech-block, 
which  rotates  about  a  horizontal  axis  at  90  degrees  to  the  axis  of  the  barrel,  lying 
below  the  axis  of  the  barrel  and  in  front,  being  moved  from  above  by  a  thumb- ^ 
piece.  The  arm  is  opened  and  cocked  by  drawing  back  a  locking-piece,  hinged  to 
the  hammer,  and  pressed  against  the  frame  by  a  spring  lying  between  it  and  the 
hammer.  It  is  closed  and  fired  by  drawing  the  trigger,  the  mainspring  being  placed 
beneath  the  barrel.  The  piece  is  locked  by  the  engaging  of  the  locking-piece,  with 
a  corresponding  abutment  on  the  frame,  into  which  it  is  pressed  by  the  locking- 
piece  spring,  just  before  the  cartridge  is  struck  by  the  hammer  when  the  piece  is 
fired. 

Extraction  is  accomplished  by  a  hooked-lever  pivoted  on  the  hammer,  and  mov- 
ing bodily  with  it  in  the  first  instant  of  opening,  and  ejection  is  effected  by  striking 
the  lower  end  of  another  similar  lever  pivoted  to  the  side  of  the  frame,  by  the  end 
of  the  locking-piece,  when  the  opening  is  nearly  completed.  A  flap  hinged  to  the 
top  of  the  barrel  may  be  interposed  between  the  head  of  the  cartridge  and  the  ham- 
mer, so  that  the  piece  may  be  carried  safely  when  loaded ;  the  upper  portion  of 
this  flap  is  formed  into  a  sight  base. 

WILKESBARRE  HAMMERLESS  GUN. 

This  excellent  arm  has  three  fastenings ;  two  under  bolts  locking  on  a  wedge 
into  the  under  lugs,  and  a  top  fastening  in  the  extension  rib,  which  is  locked  at 
right  angles  from  the  under  bolts,  and  guarantees  a  gun  which  will  stand  a  strain 
of  nitro  powder.  One  under  lug  is  cut  on  a  circle  and  fits  close  to  a  cross-piece  on 
the  frame  which  forces  the  breech  against  the  face  of  the  frame.  The  lock  is  very 
simple  and  strong.  The  cocking-rod  and  lever,  working  on  the  principle  of  a  com- 
pound lever,  cocks  the  gun  easily  and  without  any  cflfort  or  strain  on  the  fore  end. 
All  the  lock  work  is  in  the  frame,  thus  leaving  the  stock  solid  wood  and  wo  danger 
of  cracking  out  or  splitting  from  tliscliarge  of  heavy  loads  or  escape  of  ga.-'. 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS  316 

WINCHESTER  ARMS. 

The  repeating  and  single  shot  rifles,  repeating  shotguns,  and  ammunition  of  all  kinds 
manufactured  by  the  Winchester  Repeating  Arms  Co.  are  justly  celebrated  for  their 
superiority  and  absolute  reliability.  Over  a  million  Winchester  guns  have  been  sold  during 
the  thirty  years  they  have  been  upon  the  market,  and  to-day  they  are  in  general  use  all 
over  the  world.  There  is  but  one  grade  of  Winchester  guns,  and  that  is  the  best.  There 
is  absolutely  no  difference  in  the  quality  of  the  materials  used  in  the  highest  and  lowest 
priced  Winchester  guns.  Neither  is  there  any  distinction  made  in  the  tests  to  which  dif- 
ferent priced  guns  are  subjected  for  strength,  accuracy,  and  manipulation.  The  difference 
in  the  prices  of  the  various  styles  of  the  different  models  of  Winchester  guns  is  due  to  the 
difference  in  exterior  finish,  ornamentation,  or  special  features,  which  necessitate  a  greater 
amount  of  handwork  than  the  standard  styles.  All  the  materials  used  in  the  manufacture 
of  Winchester  guns  are  the  best  that  experience  and  money  can  procure.  The  barrels  of 
the  .30  and  .303  caliber  Model  1895;*. 30  caliber  W.  C.  F.  and  .25-35  caliber  W.  C.  F., 
Model  i894;t6  m/m.  (.236)  caliber  Lee  straight  pull,  U.S.  Navy,  and  .45-7°  caliber  Extra 
Lightweight,  Model  i886trifles  are  made  of  nickel  steel,  which  has  a  tensile  strength  of 
over  100,000  pounds  to  the  square  inch.  The  barrels  of  Winchester  guns  of  other  calibers 
are  made  of  extra  high  grade  of  steel,  sufficiently  strong  to  withstand  much  greater  pres- 
sures than  could  possibly  be  developed  by  the  cartridges  they  are  intended  to  shoot.  In 
making  the  frames,  actions,  and  other  parts  of  Winchester  guns,  extra  grades  of  steel, 
especially  adapted  to  the  requirements  of  the  respective  parts,  are  used,  which  insures 
their  strength,  toughness,  and  lasting  qualities.  All  the  metallic  parts,  except  the  magazine 
springs,  which  are  made  of  spring  steel  wire,  screws,  etc.,  are  drop  forged,  no  castings  of 
any  description  being  used  in  the  Winchester  guns. 

An  invaluable  feature  is  that  of  interchangeable  parts.     All  parts  of  Winchester  guns 

'  are  made  to  gauge,  and  are  strictly  interchangeable.     For  illustration  :     Any  Model  1873 

finger  lever  will  fit  any  Model  1873  receiver;  or,  any  Model  1897  shotgun  action  slide  will 

•fit  any  Model  1897  shotgun  slide  handle.     To   make  parts  that  will   interchange   in  this 

1  manner,  like  parts  must  be  exactly  alike  to  the  minutest  detail.     To  determine  whether  or 

1  not  they  are  exactly  alike  in  size  and  shape,  or  if  the  cuts  and  holes  in  them  are  made  so 

i  as  to  coincide  with  the  component  parts,  each  part   has  to  be  gauged  from  one  to  forty 

i  different  times.      This  system  of  interchangeable   parts  materially  increases  the  cost  of 

producing  Winchester  guns,  nevertheless  they  are  sold  cheaper  than  guns  made  in  a  less 

costly  and  less  careful  manner.      All  purchasers  of  Winchester  guns  are  benefited  by  this 

system  of  manufacture,  as  it  enables  them  to  replace  a  part  broken  or  worn  out  by  rough 

usage,  at  a  trifling  cost  and  without  employing  the  aid  of  a  gunsmith.    Almost  all  parts  of 

Winchester  guns  can  be  sent  by  mail,  therefore  a  broken  part  can  be  replaced  quickly  and 

easily  in  any  part  of  the  world. 

Gun  makers  agree  that  the  most  difficult  part  of  a  gun  to  make  is  the  barrel.    To  do 
so  successfully,  requires  a  thorough  knowledge  of  the  subject,  skilled  experts,  delicate  and 
*  Also  the  .35— .405.     f  Also  the  .32  Winchester  special.     tAlso  the  .33. 


316  AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 

exact  machinery,  and  a  comprehensive  system  of  tests.     The  system  by  which  Winchestei 
barrels  are  made  has  made  them  famous  all  over  the  world  for  their  unerring  accuracy  and  ! 
strength.     When  a  Winchester  barrel  has  been  "rough"  bored,  as  the  first  boring  is  called.  '. 
it  is  proved  for  strength  by  the  English  Government  proof  system.      The  barrel  is  locked  | 
to  a  firing  table,  loaded  with  a  charge  of  powder  and  lead  twice  as  great  as   could  be  put  i 
into  the  shell  the  barrel  is  to  be  chambered  for,  and  fired.      It  is  then  carefully  inspected  ■ 
and  if  the  barrel  shows  the  slightest  sign  of  strain,  or  imperfection,  it  is  condemned.    It  is 
next  straightened  and  then  given  the  second  or  "finish"  boring.      It  is  then  straightened 
again,  after  which  it  is  subjected  to  what  is  known   as  the  "Winchester"  or  "Lead"  test. 
This  test  never  fails  to  disclose  any  imperfection  in  the  interior  of  a  barrel.  In  making  this 
test,  the  barrel  is  held  in  a  vise  and  a  plug  of  lead  the  exact  size  of  the  bore   placed  in  it 
at  the  breech  and  expanded  or  "upset"until  it  binds  lightly  and  evenly  all  around  the  bore. 
The  plug  is  then  pushed  gradually  through  the  barrel  with  a  copper  rod  by  the  expert 
conducting  the  test.     The  slighest  variation  in  the  diameter  of  the  bore  is  instantly  dis- 
closed by  the  different  pressure  required  to  push  the  plug  through  the  barrel.       This  test 
is  repeated  after  the  barrel  is  rifled,  for  the  purpose  of  detecting  any  possible  disturbance 
of  the  bore  during  the  latter  process.     It  is  not  necessary  to  submit  shotgun  barrels  to  the 
"Lead"  test.     They  are  tested  by  gauges  which  show  a  variation  of  a  thousandth  part 
of  an  inch. 

One  of  the  most  difficult  things  to  determine  in  making  rifle  barrels  is  the  twist  or 
rifling  required  to  shoot  a  given  cartridge  to  the  best  advantage.  Cartridges  of  different 
or  like  calibers  containing  different  weights  of  powder  or  lead  require  a  different  twist.  A 
perfect  twist  is  one  which  will  spin  a  bullet  fast  enough  to  keep  it  point  on  to  the  limit  of 
its  range  and  its  pathway  through  the  air  as  near  a  straight  line  as  possible.  If  the  twist 
is  too  slow,  the  flight  of  the  bullet  will  be  untrue  and  it  will  "tumble"  or  "keyhole"  as  it 
is  called  when  a  bullet  passes  through  the  air  in  a  lengthwise  position  instead  of  point  on. 
On  the  contrary  if  the  twist  is  too  quick  or  sharp,  the  bullet  is  spun  so  rapidly  that  it  is 
unsteady  in  its  flight  and  wobbles  like  a  top  when  it  first  begins  to  spin.  The  only  sure 
way  of  ascertaining  a  perfect  twist  is  by  calculation  and  exhaustive  practical  tests.  The 
Winchester  Company  have  complete  facilities  for  verifying  all  calculations  for  twist,  which 
enable  them  to  determine  with  positive  certainty  the  twist  that  will  give  the  best  results 
with  a  given  cartridge. 

When  Winchester  guns  are  assembled,  tliat  is.  put  together  ready  for  use.  they  are 
tested  carefully  for  manipulation  and  accuracy.  The  test  for  manipulation  consists  of 
working  the  gun  thoroughly  with  "dummy"  cartridges  and  firing  it  as  a  single  loader  or 
repeater,  slowly  and  quickly,  to  detect  any  possible  defect  in  the  action.  If  a  gun  is  fault)' 
in  extracting,  in  handling  the  cartridges,  or  does  not  work  smoothly,  easily  and  rapidly,  it 
cannot  pass  this  test.  Rifles  are  shot  from  three  to  ten  shots,  and  shotguns  from  eight  to 
fifteen  shots  to  test  their  action. 

If  there  is  any  one  feature  in  which  Winchester  guns  excel  others,   more   than  in  an- 


AMERICAN    SMALL    ARMS  317 

other,  it  is  their  remarkable  accuracy.  This  is  due  to  the  excellence  of  Winchester 
barrels  and  to  the  care  taken  in  targeting  them.  At  the  plant  of  the  Winchester 
Repeating  Arms  Co.  there  are  ranges  from  a  lOO  feet  up  to  200  yards.  At  these 
ranges  every  gun  is  shot  to  test  its  accuracy,  the  distance  varying  according  to  the 
caliber.  A  corps  of  experts  devote  their  entire  time  to  this  work,  and  before  a  gun 
is  passed  by  them,  it  must  be  capable  of  shooting  seven  consecutive  bull's  eyes  on 
a  standard  sized  target  for  the  distance  shot.  All  guns  are  shot  to  line  up  the 
sights,  an  expert  changing  them  until  they  are  properly  aligned  and  given  the 
proper  elevation.  A  gun  which  does  not  make  a  good  target  is  condemned.  Shot- 
guns are  targeted  at  40  yards.  Choke-bore  barrels  are  not  accepted  unless  they 
shoot  at  least  300  pellets  of  shot  inside  a  30-inch  circle,  the  testing  load  being  3 
drams  of  smokeless  powder  and  ij4  ounces  of  No.  jYz  chilled  shot.  Cylinder- 
bore  barrels  are  targeted  at  30  yards,  the  load  given  above  being  used.  Guns  that 
pass  these  tests  for  manipulation  and  accuracy  are  given  a  final  inspection  for 
exterior  finish,  etc.,  and  then  they  are  ready  for  market. 

The  Model  1902  single  shot  rifle,  and  the  Model  1903  automatic  rifle,  caliber 
.22,  embody  the  latest  improvements  in  Winchester  guns.  The  Model  1902  has 
a  peep  sight,  a  short  trigger  pull  and  a  trigger  guard  of  a  new  design  which 
fulfills  the  purposes  of  a  pistol  grip.  It  is  a  "  Take  Down  "  and  can  be  taken 
apart  easily  and  quickly  by  simply  unscrewing  the  thumbscrew  located  underneath 
the  forearm,  which  releases  the  barrel  and  action  from  the  stock.  The  action  used 
on  this  gun  is  of  the  bolt  type,  and  is  exceedingly  simple,  consisting  of  very  few 
parts.  When  the  gun  is  cocked,  the  action  is  locked  against  opening  until  the 
firing  pin  falls.  This  permits  carrying  the  gun  cocked  without  liability  of  the 
action  jarring  open.  The  gun  is  cocked  by  pulling  rearward  on  the  firing  pin, 
which  is  made  with  a  nufled  head,  to  afford  a  good  grip. 


Figure  1 


The  Model  1903  autofnatic  rifle  is  a  ten-shot,  hammerless,  "  Take  Down," 
using  a  new,  inexpensive  rim  fire  cartridge,  loaded  with  smokeless  powder  and 
Winchester  greaseless  bullet.  It  is  simple  in  construction  and  operation.  After 
filling  the  magazine  and  throwing  a  cartridge  into  the  chamber,  all  that  it  is  neces- 
sary to  do  to  shoot  the  ten  cartridges  that  the  magazine  holds  is  to  pull  the  trig- 
ger for  each  shot.  The  rifle  can  be  shot  as  fast  as  the  trigger  can  be  pulled.  The 
recoil  from  the  exploded  cartridge  ejects  the  empty  shell,  cocks  the  hammer,  and 


318  AMERICAN    SMALL    ARMS 

throws  a  fresh  cartridge  into  the  chamber.  The  barrel  is  round  and  20  inches 
long  and  is  fitted  with  open  front  and  rear  sights.  The  length  of  gun  over  all  is 
36  inches  and  the  weight  is  about  sH  pounds.  To  fill  the  magazine,  hold  the 
gun  muzzle  down  and  turn  the  magazine  plug,  seated  in  the  depression  in  the 
butt-plate,  to  the  left,  and  draw  out  the  magazine  tube  until  the  magazine  follower 
clears  the  opening  in  the  stock.  Drop  the  cartridges,  bullets  foremost,  through  the 
opening  in  the  stock  into  the  magazine.  Push  in  the  magazine  tube  and  lock  it  by 
turning  the  magazine  plug  to  the  right.  To  use  the  gravity  charger,  fill  the 
charger  by  pushing  five  cartridges  head  first  into  each  tube.  Insert  the  spring 
end  into  the  opening  in  the  stock.  Press  downward  and  the  spring  will  release 
the  cartridges.  Hold  the  muzzle  down  so  that  the  cartridges  will  run  in  freely. 
To  load  the  gun  push  quickly  back  the  operating  sleeve,  which  projects  from  the 
forearm,  and  let  it  spring  forward.  This  cocks  the  hammer  and  throws  a  car- 
tridge into  the  chamber.  After  this,  the  gun  is  loaded  and  cocked  until  the  last 
charge  is  fired.  To  unload  the  gun,  work  the  operating  sleeve  backward  and  for- 
ward with  a  quick  and  positive  motion;  or,  draw  the  magazine  tube  entirely  from 
the  gun,  and  push  back  the  operating  sleeve.  If  it  is  desired  to  remove  the  car- 
tridge from  the  chamber,  draw  the  magazine  tube  out  until  the  magazine  follower 
clears  the  opening  in  the  stock,  and  then  push  back  the  operating  sleeve.  To 
take  down  the  gun,  cock  it  by  pushing  in  the  operating  sleeve.  Press  down  the 
take-down  screw  lock  and  turn  it  to  the  left  until  it  is  free  from  the  receiver. 
Draw  the  barrel  and  forearm  directly  forward. 

The  remaining  Winchester  product  will  be  described  in  regular  order,  each 
Model  being  named  for  the  year  when  introduced.  The  Model  1873  w^as  the  first 
repeating  rifle  to  handle  center  fire  cartridges  and  soon  became  famous  the  world 
over.  The  Model  1886  was  designed  to  handle  powerful  cartridges  loaded  with 
heavy  charges  of  powder  and  lead,  and  for  large  game  shooting  was  a  particularly 
desirable  rifle.  This  arm  is  adjusted  to  the  .33  Winchester  Smokeless  .38-56, 
.38-70,  .40-65,  .40-70,  .40-75-260,  .40-82,  .45-70-405  U.  S.  Government,  .45-70-500 
U.  S.  Government.  .45-70-330,  .45-70-350,  .45-85-350.  .45-82-405.  -45-85-300, 
.45-90,  .50-100,  and  .50-110  Winchester  cartridges.  The  Model  1890  rifle  has  a 
sliding  forearm  action.  It  handles  .22  short,  .22  long,  and  .22  Winchester  rim 
fire  cartridges,  and  is  unequaled  for  small  game  shooting  and  target  practice  at 
reasonable  ranges.  The  Model  1892  rifle  is  the  embodiment  of  lightness. 
strength,  and  ease  of  manipulation,  and  is  made  for  the  .44,  .38,  .32,  and  .25-20 
Winchester  center  fire  cartridges.  The  Model  1894  was  the  first  repeating  rifle 
made  to  handle,  successfully,  the  ])()inilar  target  cartridges  known  as  the  .38-55  and 
.32-40  and  al.so  the  .32  Winchester  Special,  .30  and  .25-35  Winchester  center  fire 
cartridges,  the  latter  three  cartridges  belonging  to  the  most  nuidcrn  type  oi  high 


AMERICAN    SMALLARMS  319 

powered  smokeless  powder  ammunition.  The  Model  1895  is  the  only  lever  action 
box  magazine  ritle  made.  It  is  a  powerful,  accurate  shooting  weapon  and  handles 
the  .30  U.  S.  Army,  303  British,  .35  Winchester  Smokeless,  and  .38-72  and 
.40-72  Winchester  cartridges.  The  old  Winchester  single  shot  rifle  is  made  in 
all  desirable  calibers  from  .22  to  .50  and  in  styles  to  meet  the  requirements  of  all 
tastes,  and  for  dififerent  kinds  of  shooting.  The  Winchester  repeating  shotguns 
are  made  in  two  models,  the  lever  action  in  10  gauge  and  the  Model  1897  with 
sliding  forearm  action  in  12  and  16  gauge.  Tlie  Model  1897  is  made  in  "Take 
Down  "  style.  These  guns  are  rapidly  supplanting  double  barreled  guns  both  in 
the  field  and  at  the  trap.  Properly  handled  Winchester  guns  seldom  get  out  of 
order.  That  a  gun  is  of  a  later  model  does  not  necessarily  imply  that  it  is  any 
better,  or  that  it  has  superseded  earlier  models.  The  different  models  of  Win- 
chester guns  are  designed  to  meet  the  requirements  of  different  kinds  of  shooting 
and  a  diversity  of  tastes. 

The  Winchester  repeating  rifle,  Model  1873,  is  conceded  to  be  the  most  re- 
markable arm  ever  produced.     It  was  the  first  repeating  rifle  made  to  use  center 


Fiffure  2. 


fire  cartridges,  and  for  years  the  only  one  on  the  market.  Up  to  the  present  time 
there  have  been  over  a  million  sold,  and  they  are  still  in  demand.  It  is  improbable 
that  any  one  style  of  arm  will  ever  compare  with  the  Model  1873  in  popularity  or 
in  the  number  in  use.  Until  a  decade  ago,  practically  all  the  big  game  killed  in 
this  and  other  countries  succumbed  to  its  accurate  and  deadly  fire.  It  is  a  strong, 
accurate  arm.  It  is  absolutely  safe,  as  the  firing  pin  is  automatically  withdrawn 
when  the  gun  is  opened,  and  the  trigger  locked  until  the  action  is  closed.  It  can 
be  furnished  with  set  triggers,  in  which  case  the  trigger  lock-saftey  catch  is 
omitted.  It  is  made  for  .44,  .38,  and  .32  center  fire  cartridges.  The  weights  of 
this  Model,  full  or  half  magazine,  are  as  follows :  Round  barrel,  24  inches  long  or 
under,  weight  about  8>^  pounds ;  Octagon  barrel.  24  inches  long  or  under,  weight 
about  9  pounds ;  Half  octagon  barrel.  25  inches  long  or  under,  weight  about  8^ 
pounds ;  Carbine.  20  inch  round  barrel,  weight  about  734  pounds ;  Musket,  30 
inch  round  barrel,  weight  about  gV^  pounds,  full  magazine  only. 

The  system  and  operation  of  Winchester  repeating  rifles,  except  models  1890  and 


320 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 


1895,  are  similar  to  those  of  the  .44,  .38,  and  .;^2  calibers  of  the  model  1873.  and  can  be 
readily  understood  from  the  sectional  cuts  of  that  model  shown  in  Figures  2  and  3. 
Figure  2  shows  the  action  closed  and  Figure  3  shows  the  action  open.  The  magazine  is 
loaded  while  the  action  is  closed,  as  shown  in  Figure  2.  by  pressing  down  the  spring  cover 
on  the  right  hand  side  of  the  receiver  with  the  point  of  the  cartridge,  and  inserting  the 
cartridge  through  the  opening  thus  made.  The  opening  is  closed  by  the  spring  cover  as  soon 
as  the  cartridge  is  inserted.  This  operation  is  repeated  until  the  magazine  is  filled. 
When  it  is  desired  to  load,  the  finger  lever  B  is  thrown  forward  to  the  position  shown  in 
Figure  3,  and  then  returned  to  position  shown  in  Figure  2.  This  motion  throws  out  the 
shell  or  cartridge  in  the  chamber,  transfers  a  cartridge  from  the  magazine  to  the  chamber, 
cocks  the  hammer,  and  leaves  the  gun  ready  to  fire  when  the  trigger  is  pulled.  The  op- 
eration of  loading  is  easily  executed  while  the  gun  is  at  the  hip,  or  at  the  shoulder,  with- 
out taking  the  eye  off  the  sights,  thus  enabling  the  shooter  to  fire   as  many  shots  as  there 


Figure  3. 

are  cartridges  in  the  magazine  without  removing  the  gun  from  the  shoulder,  or  losing 
sight  of  the  object  shot  at.  To  take  out  the  barrel. — Take  out  the  two  tip  screws  and  the 
magazine  ring  pin ;  pull  out  the  magazine  tube  and  take  off  the  forearm ;  then,  before 
unscrewing  the  barrel  from  the  frame,  the  breech  pin  must  be  thrown  back  by  moving  the 
finger  lever  forward — otherwise  the  attempt  to  unscrew  it  will  break  the  extractor  which 
withdraws  the  cartridge  and  ruin  the  breech  pin.  To  remove  the  breech  pin.  Models 
1873  and  1876.— M\sx  removing  the  side  plates  and  links,  take  out  the  link  pin  and 
retractor:  the  piston  can  then  be  pulled  out  with  the  fingrs,  first  removing  the  hammer, 
or  setting  it  at  full  cock. 

The  Winchester  Model  1886  is  the  strongest  repeating  rifle  made,  and  the  only  one 
that  will  successfully  withstand  the  shock  and  strain  of  shooting  such  tremendous  charges 
of  powder  and  lead  as  are  contained  in  .45-70-500  or  .50-100-450  cartridges.  This 
model  is  very  popular  with  big  game  hunters  all  over  the  world  on  account  of  its  strength, 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 


321 


accuracy  and  great  killing  qualities.  This  gun  has  been  thoroughly  tested  on  all  kinds 
of  game,  and  has  invariably  given  such  splendid  satisfaction  that  it  is  doubtful  if  it  will 
ever  be  equalled  for  the  heavy  cartridges  it  was  especially  designed  to  handle.  The  sys- 
tem differs  from  that  of  earlier  Winchester  models,  as  will  be  seen  by  the  sectional  draw- 
ings, Plgures  4  and  5,  showing  the  action  closed  and  open,  although  it  is  operated  by  a 
finger  lever,  like  the  Winchester  Model  1873.  Only  a  short  movement  of  the  finger  lever 
is  required  to  load  this  gun,  which  makes  it  easy  to  fire  rapidly  while  the  gun  is  at  the 


Figure  4. 

shoulder.  A  glance  at  the  sectional  drawings  of  this  model  is  convincing  of  the  strength 
and  simplicity  of  its  locking  device.  The  gun  is  locked  by  two  bolts,  having  a  motion 
like  the  old  Sharp's  breech-block,  which  show  on  the  top  of  the  gun  when  the  action  is 
closed.  In  this  position  the  locking  bolts  lie  one  on  each  side  of  the  breech  bolt. 
Each  bolt  fits  into  a  slot  in  the  frame  on  one  side,  and  into  a  similar  slot  in  the  breech- 
bolt  on  the  other.      The  first  opening  motion  of  the  lever  withdraws  and  locks  back  the  firing 


Figure  5. 

'  I  pin  until  the  gun  is  again  ready  for  firing.  A  hook  attached  to  the  finger  lever  draws  the 
cartridges  out  of  the  magazine  into  the  carrier  block,  which  enables  the  use  of  a  light  maga- 
zine spring,  permitting  the  magazine  to  be  filled  easily.  The  cartridge  is  forced  from  the 
carrier  into  the  chamber  by  the  forward  movement  of  the  breech  bolt.     The  arrangement 


322 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 


of  the  breech-bolt,  finger  lever,  and  locking  bolt  makes  it  easy  to  insert  or    eject  a  cart- 
ridge, and  gives  the  action  strength  to  withstand  any  charge. 

The  magazine  is  filled  while  the  gun  is  closed,  through  the  spring  cover  at  the  side, 
and  is  provided  with  a  stop,  which  permits  the  use  of  cartridges  of  different  lengths,  hav- 
ing the  same  length  of  shell.  For  illustration  :  Guns  chambered  for  the  .45-70  cartridge 
will  handle  that  cartridge  with  either  the  .405  or  .500  grain  bullet.  Guns  chambered  for 
the  .45-90  cartridge  will  handle  the  .45-85-350  solid  ball,  .45-82-405  solid  ball,  or  the 
.45-85-300  hollow  point  express  bullet  cartridges.  Guns  chambered  for  .40-82  cartridges 
will  handle  the  .40-75-260  cartridge  of  Winchester  make.  Rifles  of  this  model,  taking 
the  .45-70  cartridges,  should  be  used  only  with  the  .45-70  cartridges  made  by  the  Win- 
chester Repeating  Arms  Co.  In  reloading  the  cartridges  use  the  Winchester  2  >^  primer 
only.  Never  use  in  this  gun  a  cartridge  primed  with  a  Berdan  or  copper  primer.  A 
rifle  with  a  26-inch  barrel  and  full  magazine  will  carry  nine  .45-70-405,  .40-65,  or  .38- 
56  cartridges,  or  eight  of  the  other  thirteen  cartridges  for  which  this  gun  is  made.  Half 
magazine  rifles  will  carry  four  .40-65,  or  .38-56  cartridges,  or  three  of  the  other  fourteen 
cartridges,  in  the  magazine,  and  one  in  the  barrel.     Half  magazine  "  Take  Down  "  rifles 


will  hold  four  cartridges  in  the  magazine  and  one  in  the  barrel.  The  standard  length  of 
barrel  is  26  inches,  but  barrels  are  furnished  up  to  36  inches  in  length.  Guns  taking  the 
.45-70  cartridge  have  the  Sporting  Leaf  Sight,  those  taking  the  .50-110,  .50-100  cart- 
ridges the  Winchester  Express  Sight,  and  all  others  the  Sporting  Rear  Sight.  Guns  of 
this  model  can  be  furnished  with  set  triggers,  if  so  ordered. 

The  Winchester  Model,  1886  "  Take  Down  "  rifle,  Figure  6,  is  a  particularly  handy 
and  convenient  arm.  The  ease  with  which  it  can  be  taken  apart,  and  the  small  space  it 
can  be  carried  in,  recommends  it  to  all  sportsmen.  The  barrel  of  the  gun  is  attached  to 
the  frame  by  an  interrupted  screw,  which  makes  it  possible  to  detach  the  barrel  from  the 
frame  with  a  one-quarter  turn.  The  magazine  barrel  and  fore-end  are  attached  by  a 
ring  at  the  breech,  so  as  to  form  one  piece.  This  leaves  the  stock  and  action  in  one 
piece,  and  the  barrel  and  all  parts  attached  to  it  in  another,  so  that  the  gun  can  be  con- 
veniently carried  in  a  Victoria  case  like  a  shotgun,  packed  in  a  trunk  or  in  bedding.  An- 
other feature  of  the  "Take  Down"  style  of  gun  is :  When  cleaning  the  gun  the  magazine 
can  be  screwed  out  and  withdrawn  entirely  from  the  barrel,  so  that  the  later  can  be 
washed  with  water,  if  desired,  without  wetting  the  action  or  magazine.     The   interrupted 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS  323 

screw  system  used  in  Winchester  "Take  Down"  rifles  has  been  thoroughly  tested,  both 
in  heavy  ordnance  as  well  as  in  small  arms,  and  found  to  be  fully  as  strong  as  the  con- 
tinuous screw.  It  is  absolutely  impossible  for  an  accident  to  occur  with  a  Winchester 
"Take  Down"  rifle  on  account  of  the  gun  not  being  put  together  properly.  The  Model 
1886  "Take  Down"  rifle  is  made  for  the  same  cartridges  and  with  the  same  variety  of  stocks 
as  the  regular  style  guns  of  this  model,  but  only  with  26  inch  round,  octagon  or  half 
octagon  barrels.  It  is  made  with  full  or  half  magazine.  Carbines,  or  barrels,  longer 
than  26  inches  are  not  furnished  in  "Take  Down"  style  of  rifle.  To  take  apart  Model 
1886,  1892,  and  1894  "Take  Down"  rifles,  lift  up  the  magazine  lever  found  at  the  muz- 
zle end  of  the  magazine,  and  unscrew  the  magazine  about  one  inch.  Throw  down  the 
finger  lever,  and  unscrew  the  barrel  one-quarter  of  a  turn  to  the  left.  Draw  out  the  barrel 
from  the  frame. 

In  a  new  gun  the  barrel  may  unscrew  with  difficulty.  If  so,  hold  the  gun  by  the 
forearm  in  the  left  hand,  and  strike  the  lower  pai  t  of  the  stock  with  the  right,  so  as  to 
drive  it  to  the  right.  To  put  the  gun  together,  draw  out  the  magazine  about  one-quarter 
of  an  inch.  Throw  down  the  finger  lever.  Slip  the  shank  of  the  barrel  into  its  place  in 
the  frame,  in  such  a  position  that  one-quarter  of  a  turn  to  the  right  will  lock  the  barrel  to 
the  frame. 

If  this  gun  becomes  loose  at  the  joint  by  wear,  it  may  be  readjusted  by  the  following 
method  :  Take  off  the  forearm  of  the  gun.  This  will  expose,  on  the  front  side  of  the 
receiver  extension  at  the  base  of  the  barrel,  three  screws.  By  turning  these  up  slightly 
any  play  between  the  ring  and  the  front  end  of  the  receiver  will  be  taken  up,  and  the  gun 
will  go  together  without  shaking,  as  before.  This  adjustment  should  not  be  used  except 
in  case  of  absolute  necessity. 

A  very  desirable  feature  of  the  Model  of  1886  "Take  Down  "  rifle  is  that  of  inter- 
changeable barrels,  as  it  enables  every  one  to  have  practically  two  different  guns  for  the 
slight  additional  cost  of  another  barrel  and  magazine.  As  the  action  of  the  Model  1886 
is  the  same  for  all  cartridges  it  is  made  for,  different  caliber  barrels  can  be  used  with  the 
same  "Take  Down"  frame.  For  illustration :  A  .38  caliber  barrel,  with  magazine,  fore- 
arm, etc,  complete,  can  be  interchanged  with  a  .50  caliber  barrel.  Barrela  of  any  of  the 
other  calibers  for  which  this  gun  is  made  can  be  interchanged  equally  as  well. 

The  Extra  Light  Weight  Model  1886  rifle  represents  the  lightest  weight  possible  in 
a  gun  of  such  power,  without  •  the  sacrifice  of  strength  or  good  shooting  qualities.  Al- 
though this  gun  weighs  only  about  six  and  three-quarters  pounds,  it  is  absolutely  safe  in 
every  way.  Before  it  was  placed  upon  the  market,  this  rifle  was  subjected  to  the  severest 
of  tests  for  strength,  etc.,  all  of  which  it  underwent  without  displaying  the  slightest  weak- 
ness of  any  sort.  It  is  made  to  order  according  to  the  following  specifications  :  Barrel, 
round,  nickel  steel,  22  inches  long,  chambered  for  the  .45-70  cartridge  only.  Full  maga- 
zine holding  7  cartridges,  or  half  magazine  holding  4  cartridges. 

The  Model  1886  Light  Weight   "Take  Down"  rifle  is  the  embodiment  of  lightness 


324  AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 

and  convenience.  Although  this  style  of  arm  weighs  only  about  seven  and  a  quarter 
pounds,  it  is  entirely  safe  and  reliable.  It  will  be  made  to  order  according  to  the  fol- 
lowing specifications:  Barrel,  round,  nickel  steel,  22  inches  long,  chambered  for  the 
.45-7C  cartridge  only.  Full  magazine  holding  7  cartridges,  or  half  magazine  holding 
4  cartridges. 

Referring  to  Figures  4  and  5,  (0  disjnouni  the  gun,  remove  the  stock.  Unscrew 
strain  screw.  Drive  out  the  mainspring  from  left  to  right.  Remove  the  carrier  spring. 
Take  out  the  hammer  screw  and  tang  with  sear  attached.  Draw  out  the  hammer.  Re- 
move the  spring  cover.  Drive  out  the  finger  lever  pin  and  bushing.  Draw  the  locking 
bolts  out  from  below.  Pull  back  the  breech-bolt  until  the  lever  connecting  pin  shows  at 
the  rear  of  the  receiver.  Drive  out  the  pin.  Draw  out  finger  lever  and  carrier  attached 
by  the  carrier  hook.  Remove  the  cartridge  guide  and  magazine  stop.  To  assemble  the 
gun.  put  in  the  magazine  stop  and  cartridge  guide.  Connect  carrier  and  finger  lever 
with  the  carrier  hook,  and  put  them  into  the  receiver  from  below.  Enter  the  breech-bolt 
at  the  rear,  and  press  the  upper  end  of  the  finger  lever  into  its  place  in  the  breech-bolt. 
Push  in  the  lever  connecting  pin.  To  do  this  it  will  be  necessary  to  press  back  the  ejec- 
tor until  the  notch  in  the  ejector  corresponds  with  the  pin.  Push  the  bolt  forward  into 
the  gun.  Push  up  the  locking-bolts  from  below.  See  that  the  cartridge  guide  enters  its 
notch  in  the  right  hand  locking-bolt.  Replace  finger  lever  pin  and  bushing.  Replace 
the  spring  cover.  Lay  the  hammer  in  place  and  push  in  the  tang,  drawing  back  the  trig- 
ger, so  that  its  point  may  not  catch  on  the  hammer.  Push  in  the  hammer  screw.  Re- 
place the  carrier  spring.     Replace  the  mainspring  and  stock. 

The  Winchester  Model  1890,  "Take  Down,"  is  the  best  light  weight  .22  caliber  re- 
peating rifle  on  the  market  with  a  sliding  forearm  action.  It  is  handy,  can  be  taken  apart 
in  an  instant,  and  is  an  accurate  strong  shooting  arm.  The  popularity  of  this  model  is 
attested  to  by  the  demand  for  it,  which  has  been  phenomenally  large.  It  is  well  adapted 
for  small  game  and  target  shooting,  and  is  used  by  all  the  best  professional  fancy  rifle 
shots  in  this  country  and  abroad.  Its  light  v/eight.  and  the  ease  with  which  it  can  be 
manipulated,  makes  it  very  desirable  as  a  lady's  gun.  The  action  of  this  model  is  simple 
and  strong.  The  parts  are  few  in  number,  and  made  by  the  interchangeable  system.  The 
breech-block  locks  itself  in  plain  view,  and  is  of  such  size  as  to  permit  the  use  of  a 
strong  firing  pin  and  extractor,  and  also  to  offer  a  good  cover  for  the  head  of  the  cartridge. 
The  action  locks  with  each  closing  movement,  and  cannot  be  opened  except  by  letting 
down  the  hammer  or  pushing  forward  the  firing  pin.  The  arrangement  of  the  breech- 
block and  hammer  is  such  that  the  gun  cannot  be  prematurely  fired,  nor  the  hammer 
pulled  prematurely,  causing  a  missfire.  Rifles  of  this  model  are  adapted  to  the  regular 
.22  short,  .22  long  and  .22  Winchester  rim  fire  cartridges,  the  latter  being  especially 
designed  for  this  gun,  with  inside  lubricated  bullet.  A  gun  chambered  for  the  .22  short 
cartridge  will  handle  that  cartridge  only  ;  a  .22  long  will  handle  the  .22  long  cartridge 
only,  and  so  on.     This  model  is  made  with   24  inch  octagon  barrels,  plain  triggers  and 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS  325 

straight  grip  rifle  stocks.  To  charge  the  magazine,  turn  the  milled  head  at  the  top  of  the 
magazine  until  the  magazine  tube  is  unlocked.  Draw  out  the  inner  tube  until  it  strikes 
the  stop.  This  will  leave  the  loading  hole  open.  Cartridges  can  then  be  dropped  into 
the  magazine  until  the  same  is  full.  The  magazine  of  the  .22  short  gun  will  hold  fifteen 
,22  short  Winchester  cartridges.  The  magazine  of  the  .22  long  gun  will  hold  twelve  .22 
long  Winchester  cartridges.  The  magazine  of  the  .22  Winchester  rim  fire  gun  will  hold 
ten  of  those  cartridges.  After  the  magazine  is  full,  press  down  the  inner  case.  When 
clear  down,  turn  to  the  left  to  lock  it  in  place.  If  it  is  desired  to  empty  the  magazine 
without  passing  the  cartridges  through  the  gun,  draw  the  inner  tube  out  until  it  strikes  the 
stop ;  turn  it  half  around  ;  it  can  then  be  pulled  out  entirely,  and  the  cartridges  dropped 
out  of  the  mouth  of  the  magazine.  To  load  the  gun;  when  the  hammer  is  down,  the  motion 
of  the  handle  backward  and  forward  unlocks,  opens,  and  cocks  the  gun,  forces  the 
cartridge  into  the  chamber,  and  locks  the  gun.  The  gun  once  closed  is  locked,  while  the 
hammer  stands  at  full  or  half  cock.  To  open  the  gun  without  firing  or  letting  down  the 
hammer,  push  forward  the  firing  pin  with  the  thumb,  and  pull  back  the  handle  at  the 


Figure  7. 

same  time.  When  the  gun  stands  at  half-cock,  it  is  locked  both  as  to  the  opening  of  the 
breech  and  the  pulling  of  the  trigger.  The  hammer  cannot  be  cocked  by  the  motion  of 
the  breech-block  from  this  position,  but  must  be  cocked  by  hand.  To  take  doivn  the  gun, 
turn  out  the  assembling  screw  (a  stop  pin  prevents  its  dropping  out);  hold  the  arm  by  the 
barrel,  with  the  left  side  down,  and  pull  the  stock  from  the  barrel.  Put  the  gun  together 
in  the  same  position,  first  letting  down  the  hammer  and  pushing  the  breech-piece  to  its 
most  forward  position.  It  will  not  be  found  necessary  to  clean  the  action  of  this  gun, 
unless  it  has  had  extraordinary  usage.  When  the  gun  is  open,  the  front  of  the  breech- 
block may  be  wiped  clean  of  grease,  and  when  taken  down  the  carrier  can  be  cleaned. 
This  is  all  that  will  be  found  necessary  to  do  to  the  action.  The  barrel  should  never  be  left 
dirty.  In  calibers  as  small  as  the  .22  too  much  care  cannot  be  taken  in  keeping  the  barrel 
clean.     A  brass  cleaning  rod  accompanies  each  gun. 

The  action  of  this  Model  is  shown  in  Figures  7  and  8.  To  dismount  the  gun,  take 
down  the  gun  :  All  pins  drive  out  from  right  to  left.  To  take  out  the  breech-block,  re. 
move  the  magazine  ring  pin  ;  draw  out  the  magazine  ;  slide  out  the  cover  plate  ;  lift  out 
the  action  slide  ;  press  on  the  firing  pin,  unlock   the  breech-block  and  draw  it  out  back- 


326  AMERICAN    SMALL    ARMS 

wards.  To  take  out  the  extractor,  drive  out  the  extractor  pin  from  the  bottom  of  the 
breech-block.  To  remove  the  firing  pin,  take  out  the  firing  pin  stop  screws  and  remove 
the  firing  pin  stop.  The  firing  pin  can  then  be  drawn  out.  To  remove  the  hammer  and 
carrier  block  from  the  tang,  take  off  the  stock,  loosen  the  mainspring  strain  screw  and  the 
mainspring  screw  ;  slide  the  stirrup  off  the  mainspring,  pressing  down  the  mainspring  to 
accomplish  this.  The  mainspring  can  then  be  swung  out  sideways.  The  assembling 
screw  and  assembling  screw  bushing  can  then  be  removed  and  the  hammer  taken  out. 
Take  out  the  trigger  ;  loosen  the  trigger  spring  screw  ;  drive  out  the  trigger  pin. 

To  assemble  the  gun,  put  in  the  trigger  and  trigger  spring,  carrier  and  hammer,  and  slip 
in  the  hammer  pin.  Slide  the  stirrup  over  the  mainspring  and  tighten  the  mainspring  screw 
and  mainspring  strain  screw.  Put  the  firing  pin  in  the  breech-block,  and  replace  firing  pin 
stop  and  stop  screw.  Replace  extractor,  driving  in  pin  from  top.  Slip  the  breech-block  into 
the  frame.  Replace  action  slide,  and  put  on  the  slide  cover.  Replace  magazine.  To  do  this, 
turn  the  magazine  so  that  the  loading  hole  is  next  the  barrel ;  slip  the  magazine  stop  spring 
in  place ;  slide  the  magazine  with  stop   spring  in   place   so  that  the  lower  end  of   stop 


Figure  8. 

spring  is  under  the  magazine  ring ;  turn  the  magazine  so  that  stop  spring  comes  next 
the  barrel,  and  push  it  into  place.     Replace  the  magazine  pin.     Replace  the  butt  stock. 

The  Winchester  Model  1892  has  the  same  system  as  the  Model  of  1886.  Manip- 
ulated by  a  finger  lever,  the  firing  pin  is  first  withdrawn  ;  the  gun  unlocked  and  opened  ; 
the  shell  or  cartridge  ejected,  and  a  new  cartridge  presented  and  forced  into  the  cham- 
ber, the  firing  pin  being  held  back  until  the  gun  is  again  locked.  The  locking  bolts  are 
always  in  sight,  and,  when  the  gun  is  closed,  support  the  breech-bolt  symmetrically 
against  the  force  of  the  explosion.  The  same  cartridges  are  used  as  in  the  Model  of 
1873, — .44,  .38  and  .32  Winchester  center  fire, — their  widely  extended  sale  having 
proved  their  value  for  general  use,  and  in  addition  the  .25-20  Winchester  center  fire 
cartridge.  The  gun  is  light,  strong,  handsome,  and  simple  in  construction.  The  stand- 
ard length  of  barrel  for  this  Model  is  24  inches:  but  the  barrels  are  made  up  to  36 
inches.  The  .44  caliber  rifle,  with  a  34  inch  octagon  barrel,  will  weigh  about  634 
pounds.  The  .44  caliber  carbine,  with  a  20  inch  barrel,  weighs  a  little  less  than  534 
pounds.  The  .38,  .32  and  .25  calibers  will  weigh  a  little  more  than  the  .44  of  correspond- 
ing style. 

The  "Take  Down"  system  used  on  the  Model  1892    is  the   same   as  the  one  used  so 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS  327 

successfully  on  the  Models  1886  and  1894  Winchester  repeating  rifles.  To  take  the  i^un 
apart,  lift  up  the  magazine  lever  found  at  the  muzzle  end  of  the  magazine,  and  unscrew 
the  magazine  about  one  inch.  Throw  down  the  finger  lever,  and  unscrew  the  barrel  one- 
quarter  of  a  turn  to  the  left.  Draw  out  the  barrel  from  the  frame.  In  a  new  gun  the 
barrel  may  unscrew  with  difiiculty.  If  so,  hold  the  gun  by  the  forearm  in  the  left  hand, 
and  strike  the  lower  part  of  the  stock  with  the  right,  so  as  to  drive  it  to  the  right. 
To  put  the  gun  together,  draw  out  the  magazine  about  one-quarter  of  an  inch.  Throw 
down  the  finger  lever.  Slip  the  shank  of  the  barrel  into  its  place  in  the  frame  in  such  a 
position  that  one-quarter  of  a  turn  to  the  right  will  lock  the  barrel  to  the  frame.  If  this  gun 
becomes  loose  at  the  joint  by  wear,  it  may  be  readjusted  by  the  following  method : 
Take  off  the  forearm  of  the  gun.  This  will  expose,  on  the  front  side  of  the  assembling 
ring  at  the  base  of  the  barrel,  three  screws.  By  turning  these  up  slightly  any  play  be- 
tween the  ring  and  the  front  end  of  the  receiver  will  be  taken  up,  and  the  gun  will  go  to- 
gether without  shaking,  as  before.  This  adjustment  should  not  be  used  except  in  case  of 
absolute  necessity.     This  rifie  is  made  in  .25,  .32,  .38,  and  .44  calibers,  but  only  with  24 


Figure  9. 

inch  Round  Octagon,  or  half-octagon  barrel.  Carbines  or  any  longer  barrels  are  not 
furnished  in  the  "Take  Down"  style  of  rifle.  The  .38  and  .44  calibers  of  the  Model  1892 
"Take  Down"  rifles,  having  the  same  action,  the  barrels  are  made  interchangeable  so 
that  any  one  wishing  to  use  the  two  styles  of  cartridges,  .38  Winchester  center  fire,  and 
.44  Winchester  center  fire,  may  do  so  at  a  comparatively  small  increase  over  the  cost  of 
one  rifle,  by  having  two  interchangeable  barrels  fitted  to  one  frame  and  stock. 

The  action,  closed  and  open,  of  the  Model  1892  is  shown  in  Figures  9  and  10.  To 
dismount  the  gun,  take  off  butt  stock.  Throw  down  the  lever.  Turn  out  the  mainspring 
strain  screw  until  it  does  not  bear  on  the  spring.  Take  out  the  mainspring  screw  and 
mainspring.  Take  out  the  hammer  screw.  Withdraw  the  tang  and  slip  out  the  hammer. 
Remove  the  finger  lever  pin  stop  screw  (this  is  the  forward  screw  on  the  left-hand  side  of 
the  frame).  Drive  out  the  finger  lever  pin.  A  hole  is  left  on  the  right-hand  side  of  the 
gun,  through  which  a  punch  may  be  used  to  drive  out  the  pin.  The  pin  is  opposite  this 
hole  when  the  breech-bolt  is  in  the  most  forward  position.  Throw  the  lever  down  and 
draw  out  the  lever  with  the  locking  bolts  attached.      Remove  the  breech-bolt.      Take  out 


328  A  M  E  R  I  C  A  N    S  M  A  L  L   A  R  M  S 

the  two  carrier  screws  and  remove  the  carrier  by  pushing  it  backwards.  Remove  the 
cartridge  guide  screws  and  take  out  the  guides.  To  assemble  the  gun ^  slip  in  the  carrier 
from  the  lower  side.  To  do  this  it  will  be  necessary  to  push  in  the  carrier  stop  so  that  the 
carrier  will  slip  into  place  between  the  walls  of  the  frame.  Replace  the  cartridge  guides. 
The  cartridge  stop  spring  in  the  left-hand  guide  should  be  assembled  with  its  point  under 
the  cartridge  stop  and  concaved  side  towards  the  receiver.  Put  in  the  bolt  with  the  ejecior, 
ejector  spring,  and  collar  assembled.  Assemble  the  locking  bolts  upon  the  lever  and  push 
them,  with  the  lever,  into  place  from  the  lower  side  of  the  gun.  Replace  the  finger  lever 
pin  and  stop  screw.  Slip  in  the  tang.  Put  the  hammer  in  place  and  put  in  the  hammer 
screw.  Assemble  the  mainspring  loosely  on  the  tang.  Catch  the  stirrup  over  the  end  of 
the  mainspring  before  screwing  it  fast.  Screw  fast  the  mainspring  screw  and  mainspring 
strain  screw. 

The  Winchester  Model  1894.  is  strong,  light,  and  elegant.     The  breech-bolt,  worked 


Figure  10. 

by  a  finger  lever,  is  automatically  locked  by  a  vertically  moving  block,  which  shows  on 
the  top  of  the  gun  when  closed,  and  covers  the  whole  rear  of  the  breech-bolt.  The  firing 
pin  is  automatically  withdrawn  and  the  trigger  locked  until  the  parts  are  in  firing  position. 
A  heavy  hammer  and  a  strong  mainspring  enable  the  use  of  the  heavy  Winchester  No. 
2y2  primer,  lessen  the  chance  of  misfires,  and  render  unnecessary  the  use  of  a  sensitive 
primer  in  the  magazine.  The  arrangement  of  the  parts  is  such  as  to  smoothly,  easily, 
and  surely  cock  the  hammer,  pull  out  and  eject  the  spent  shell,  draw  the  cartridge  out  of 
the  magazine  and  insert  it  into  the  chamber.  The  standard  length  of  barrels  is  26  inches, 
and  the  barrels  can  be  furnished  in  round,  octagon,  or  half  octagon  styles,  (iuns  of  this 
model  vary  in  weight  from  7  to  7  ^  pounds,  according  to  the  difference  in  style.  There 
is  also  a  slight  variation,  according  to  size  of  bore  and  shape  of  barrel.  A  gun  with  a  26 
inch  barrel,  having  a  full  magazine,  will  hold  nine  cartridges  in  the  magazine,  which,  with 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS  329 

the  one  in  the  chamber,  gives  a  total  of  ten  shots  at  the  command  of  the  shooter.  A  gun  with 
a  26  inch  barrel,  half  magazine,  will  hold  three  cartridges  in  the  magazine  and  one  in  the 
chamber.  A  "Take  Down"  rifle,  with  a  26  inch  barrel  and  a  half  magazine,  will  hold  four 
cartridges  in  the  magazine  and  one  in  the  chamber.  Guns  chambered  for  the  .32-40  and 
.38-55  cartridges  can  be  furnished  with  barrels  up  to  36  inches  in  length.  Barrels  cham- 
bered for  the  .25-35  or  .30  Winchester  cartridges  are  not  furnished  over  26  inches  in  length. 
Rifles  of  this  model  can  be  equipped  with  Winchester  double  set  trigger,  if  so  desired.  The 
"Take  Down"  system  used  on  this  rifle  is  the  same  as  the  one  used  on  the  Models  1886 
and  1892  Winchester  repeating  rifles.  The  extra  light  weight  Model  1894  rifle  is  the 
lightest  gun  made  that  handles  such  a  high-powered  cartridge  as  the  .30  caliber  W.  C.  F. 
smokeless.  This  rifle  is  a  hard,  accurate  shooter,  and  a  strong,  reliable  arm.  It  is  made 
to  order  according  to  the  following  specifications  :  Round,  octagon,  or  half  octagon  barrel, 
26  inches  long  or  under,  chambered  for  the  .25-35  and  .30  W.  C.  F.,  .32-40  and  .38-55 
cartridges.*  Full  magazine  holding  9,  or  half  magazine  holding  3  cartridges. 

The  "Take  Down"  extra  light  rifle   is   similar  to  the  latter  rifle,  the  only  difference 
being  that  it  is  a  "Take  Down,"  which  increases  the  weight  about  ^  pound.      It  can  be 


Figure  11. 

furnished  with  interchangeable  barrels,  the  .25-35  interchanging  with  the  .32-40,  and  the 
.30  Winchester*  interchanging  with  the  .38-55.  In  the  selection  of  cartridges  for  this 
model,  for  big  game,  soft  pointed  metal  patched  bullets  should  always  be  used  in  prefer- 
ence to  full  metal  patched  bullets,  as  the  effect  of  the^former  on  animal  tissues  is  much 
more  deadly. 

The  action,  closed  and  open,  of  the  Model  1894  is  shown  in  Figures  11  and  12. 
To  dismount  the  gtm,  take  out  the  tang  screw  and  remove  the  butt  stock.  Take  out  the 
finger  lever  pin  stop  screw  and  finger  lever  pin.  Take  out  the  link  pin  screw  and  link 
pin.  Take  out  the  finger  lever  and  link.  Take  out  the  finger  lever  link  screw,  and 
separate  the  link  from  the  finger  lever.  Take  out  the  carrier  screw  from  each  side  of  the 
gun  and  remove  the  carrier.  Take  out  mainspring  screw  and  mainspring.  Take  out  the 
hammer  screw  and  hammer,  holding  up  safety  catch  pin  while  doing  so.  Take  out  lower 
tang.  Take  out  locking  block.  Take  out  the  breech-bolt.  Take  out  the  cover  spring 
screw  and  cover  spring.  Take  out  the  carrier  spring  screw  and  carrier  spring.  To  as- 
semble the  gun,  put  in  the  carrier  spring  and  carrier  spring  screw.  Put  in  the  covei 
*Also  the  .32  Winchester  special. 


330 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 


spring  and  cover  spring  screw.  Slip  in  the  breech-bolt.  Put  the  hammer  in  place,  and 
slide  the  tang  into  place.  Put -in  the  hammer  screw,  remembering  that  the  sear  cannot 
be  moved  without  pressing  up  the  safety  catch  pin.  Catch  the  mainspring  onto  the  stir- 
rup, and  put  in  the  mainspring  screw.  Slip  in  the  locking  block  from  the  top.  Put  in 
che  carrier  and  replace  the  carrier  screws,  one  on  each  side.  Assemble  the  link  to  the 
finger  lever.  Push  the  finger  lever  partly  up  into  the  gun,  and  catch  the  rear  end  of  the 
;ink  upon  the  locking  block.  Put  in  the  link  pin  and  the  link  pin  screw.  Close  the  link 
Into  gun,  put  in  finger  lever  pin  and  finger  lever  pin  stop  screw.  Slip  on  the  stock,  and 
put  in  the  tang  screw. 


Figure  12. 

The  Winchester  repeating  rifle  Model  1895,  in  Military  and  sporting  patterns,  was 
the  first  box  magazine,  lever  action  gun  put  upon  the  market.  It  is  light  in  weight  v 
handsome  in  form ;  safe,  swift,  and  sure  in  action.  The  moving  parts  are  few  and  strong. 
The  parts  are  made  to  gauges  by  the  interchangeable  system — not  fitted  by  hand  and 
numbered  separately.  The  complete  gun  has  been  tested  at  60,000  pounds  pressure  with 
a  .30  caliber  Government  shell  and  ball  giving  velocities  of  2,400  feet  per  second.  The 
regular  velocity  required  for  this  cartridge  is  2,000  feet.  Each  gun  has  been  proved  in 
the  rough  and  finished  condition,  shot  to  prove  the  action,  and  sighted  upon  a  200-yard 
target.  As  a  single  loader,  it  can  be  shot  25  times  per  minute  from  the  shoulder,  with 
aim  ;  as  a  repeater,  at  the  rate  of  two  to  three  shots  per  second,  with  aim.  No  other  gun 
offers  more  advantages  in  rapidity  of  action,  high  velocity,  and  excellence  of  material  and 
workmanship  than  this.  The  receiver,  open  at  the  top,  permits  the  symmetrical  locking 
of  the  breech-bolt.  The  first  opening  motion  of  the  lever  withdraws  the  trigger  from  con- 
tact with  the  sear,  before  the  gun  is  unlocked,  so  that  it  is  impossible  to  fire  the  gun  ex- 
cept when  fully  locked.  The  continued  opening  motion  of  the  lever  draws  down  the 
locking  bolt  and  w  ithdraws  the  breech-bolt,  cocking  the  gun  and  ejecting  the  cartridge 
or  fired  shell.  The  breech-bolt,  passing  over  the  hammer,  presses  the  firing  pin  lock 
against   the  latter,  and  makes  fast  the  filing  pin.     When  the  breech-bolt  is  in  its  rear- 


[ 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 


331 


most  position  the  hammer  is  made  to  hold  it  open  by  contact,  so  that  the  magazine 
may  be  easily  loaded.  When  in  this  position,  the  upper  cartridge  in  the  magazine  is  so 
presented  as  to  engage  the  breech-bolt.  The  closing  action  of  the  lever  carries  forward 
the  breech-bolt,  forcing  the  cartridge  out  of  the  magazine  into  the  chamber.  y\ftcr  the 
breech-bolt  has  reached  its  closed  position,  the  locking  bolt  is  lifted  into   place,    first 


Figure  13. 

locking  the  gun  and  afterward  unlocking  the  firing  pin.  The  final  closing  movement 
of  the  lever  presents  the  trigger  against  the  sear,  leaving  the  gun  in  position  for  firing. 
The  magazine  of  the  box  type,  contains  five  cartridges,  and  the  number  in  the  magazine 
can  always  be  known  by  opening  the  gun,  if  light  serves,  or  by  feeling,  if  light  fails.     The 


Figure  14. 

magazine  follower  presents  the  cartridges  to  the  lower  front  edge  of  the  breech-bolt  in 
position  to  be  forced  into  the  chamber,  and  is  arranged  to  prevent  the  escape  of  the 
cartridge  following  before  the  preceding  one  is  in  the  grasp  of  the  extractor,  thus 
preventing  the  jamming  of  the  gun  by  false  movement.  The  disposition  of  the  mag- 
azine and  parts  is  such  that  the  gun  can  be  readily  used  as  a  single  loader,  keeping 


332 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 


tne  magazine  in  resen^e.  The  mechanism  of  the  system  can  be  easily  undei stood  by 
examining  the  sectional  drawings,  Figures  13  and  14,  in  which  the  gun  is  shown  closed 
and  open,  the  left  side  being  cut  away  to  show  the  interior.  To  dismount  the  gun,  remove 
the  forearm,  take  out  the  carrier  spring,  and  take  off  the  butt  stock.  Open  the  lever  and 
remove  the  carrier  screw  and  magazine  tip  screw.  These  are  the  two  lower  screws  on  the 
forward  end  of  the  frame.  Remove  the  magazine  with  inclosed  carrier,  turn  out  the  main- 
spring strain  screw,  take  out  the  mainspring  screw  and  mainspring.  Close  the  lever  and 
take  out  the  hammer  screw  and  hammer.  Remove  the  finger  lever  pin  stop  screw  and 
drive  out  the  finger  lever  pin  from  the  forward  hole  in  the  right  side  of  the  frame.  Re- 
move the  link  pin.  (This  connects  the  link  and  the  lower  tang).  The  finger  lever,  link, 
and  trigger  can  then  be  removed  together.  Take  out  the  sear  spring  screw — the  forward 
screw  on   the   bottom   of  the   tang— and  the  sear  pin.     Take  out  the  locking  bolt  and 


Figure  17. 

breech-bolt.  To  assemble  the  gun,  put  in  the  breech-bolt,  assembled  complete  with  firing 
pin,  extractor,  and  ejector.  Put  in  the  locking  bolt.  Put  in  the  sear,  sear  pin,  and  spring. 
Put  in  the  finger  lever,  and  drive  in  the  finger  lever  pin  from  the  left  side.  Put  in  the 
finger  lever  pin  stop  screw.  Attach  the  link  to  the  lower  tang  by  the  link  pin,  and 
drive  in  the  finger  lever  link  pin,  connecting  the  link  with  the  finger  lever.  (The 
link  should  be  attached  to  the  tang  with  trigger  and  friction  stud  all  assembled.)  Put  m 
the  hammer  and  hammer  screw.  Put  in  the  mainspring  and  mainspring  screw,  and  turn 
up  the  mainspring  strain  screw.  Put  in  the  magazine  with  carrier  in  place.  The  carrier 
is  held  in  place  by  the  carrier  screw  entering  from  tlie  outside  of  the  frame.  Replace  the 
carrier  spring.  Put  on  the  forearm  and  butt  stock.  To  load  the  magazine,  seize  the  cart- 
ridge between  the  thumb  and  the  forefinger,  the  bullet  lying  under  the  first  joint  of  the 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS  333 

forefinger.  Push  the  head  of  the  cartridge  into  the  magazine  just  forward  of  the  springs, 
forcing  down  the  follower  or  the  preceding  cartridge,  Figure  15.  Push  the  head  of  the 
cartridge  back  between  the  springs  until  it  lies  against  the  face  of  the  breech-block, 
Figure  16.  Turn  the  bullet  end  of  the  cartridge  forward  and  downward,  following  it  with 
thumb  or  finger  until  it  lies  in  position  between  the  springs.  Figure  17.  The  foUowin^^ 
are  the  weights :  .30  Army  or  .303  British,  28  inch  round  barrel,  weight  about  8}{ 
pounds ;*  Carbine,  ,30  Army,  22  inch  round  barrel,  weight  about  8  pounds;  Musket,  .30 
Army,  28  inch  round  barrel,  weight  about  9  pounds ;  .38-72  Winchester,  26  inch  round  bar- 
rel, weight  about  y }4  pounds;  .38-72  Winchester,  26  inch  octagon  or  half  octagon  barrel, 
weight  about  8 14^  pounds;  .40-72  Winchester,  26  inch  round  barrel,  weight  about  71^ 
pounds;  .40-72  Winchester,  26  inch  octagon  or  half  octagon  barrel,  weight  about  8 J^ 
pounds. 

The  cartridges  adapted  to  the  Model  1895  are  all  very  desirable,  either  for  big  game, 
hunting  or  target  practice.  The  .30  Army  and  .303  British  cartridges*belong  to  the  most 
modern  class  of  high  powered  smokeless  powder  ammunition,  and  owing  to  their  high 
velocity,  flat  trajectory,  and  great  penetrating  power,  they  have  become  favorites  with  the 
most  experienced  and  successful  big  game  hunters.  There  are  no  cartridges  made 
which  exceed  in  shocking  and  smashing  effect  the  .30  Army  or  .303  British,*with  steel 
jacketed  soft  pointed  bullets.  Their  deadly  effect  upon  big  game  has  been  thoroughly 
established  by  overwhelming  proof.  For  big  game  hunting  soft  point  bullets  should  al- 
ways be  used  in  the  .30  Army  or  .303  British  cartridges.*  Black  powder  cartridges,  or 
soft  lead  bullets,  cannot  be  used  in  Model  1895  rifles  chambered  for  the  .30  Army  or  .303 
British  cartridges.*  The  .38-72  and  the  .40-72  Winchester  cartridges,  which  the  Win- 
chester Model  1895  handle,  are  popular  with  many  riflemen,  on  account  of  their  power 
and  accuracy.  Soft  lead,  full  metal,  patched  or  metal  patched  soft  point  bullets,  and 
either  black  or  smokeless  powder,  give  excellent  results  in  these  cartridges. 

The  Lee  Straight  Pull  rifle,  made  by  the  Winchester  Repeating  Arms  Co.,  in  musket 
and  sporting  styles,  has  been  adopted  by  the  United  States  Navy.  The  Navy  model 
weighs  8^2  pounds  and  is  6  M/M  (.236)  caliber.  It  is  furnished  with  adjustable  sling 
and  knife  bayonet.  It  is  5  shot  with  a  28  inch  barrel.  The  sporting  pattern  has  a  24 
inch  barrel  and  weighs  7  }4  younds.     See  Lee  Siraighf  Pull  Rifle. 

The  Winchester  Single  Shot  rifle  has  the  old  Sharp's  breech-block  and  lever,  and 
is  as  safe  and  sohd  as  that  arm.  The  firing  pin  is  automatically  withdrawn  at  the  first 
opening  movement  of  the  gun  and  held  back  until  the  gun  is  closed.  The  hamnier  is 
centrally  hung,  but  drops  down  the  breech-block  when  the  gun  is  opened,  and  is  cocked 
by  the  closing  movement.  It  can  also  be  cocked  by  hand.  This  arrangement  allows  the 
barrel  to  be  wiped  and  examined  from  the  breech.  It  is  furnished  with  or  without  set 
trigger,  with  barrels  of  all  ordinary  lengths  and  weights,  and  for  all  standard  cartridges. 
All  .22  caliber  rim  fire  rifles  are  fitted  with  a  kicking  extractor  which  throws  the  shell 
clear  of  the  gun.    To  accommodate  all  tastes  as  to  weights  of  single  shot  rifles,  five  sizes 

*Also  the  .35—405- 


334  AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 

of  barrels,  numbering  from  i  to  5,  are  made.  No.  i  being  the  smallest.  No.  4  barrel  is 
made  to  accommodate  those  wanting  a  heavier  gun  and  will  increase  the  weight  of  a  .38 
caliber  gim  over  that  of  one  with  a  No.  3  barrel  about  i  ^  pounds — other  calibers  in 
proportion.  No.  5  barrel  is  the  heaviest  which  can  be  made  and  will  increase  the  weight 
of  a  .38  caliber  gun  over  that  of  one  with  a  No.  3  barrel  about  2  yi  pounds — other  calibers 
in  proportion. 

The  single  shot  rifle  system,  action  closed,  is  shown  in  Figure  18.  To  dismount  the 
gun,  take  ofif  the  forearm.  Take  out  the  mainspring  and  ejector  spring.  Loosen  the  stop 
screw,  and  take  out  the  finger  lever  pin.  Draw  out  the  breech-block  by  the  finger  lever 
with  the  hammer  attached.  The  extractor  will  drop  out.  If  it  is  desired  to  remove  the 
trigger  or  sear,  take  off  the  stock.  Remove  the  side  tang  screws  and  tang ;  the  pieces 
attached  to  the  tang  can  then  be  removed  by  pushing  out  the  pins  which  hold  them. 
Remove  the  sear  spring  screw  and  spring.  To  assemble  the  gun,  replace  the  sear  spring 
and  screw.  Mount  the  trigger  and  other  parts  of  the  lock  on  the  tang  and  slide  it  into 
place.     Replace  the  side  tang  screws.     Assemble  together  the  hammer,  breech-block  and 


Figure  18. 

finger  lever,  and  hold  them  in  the  same  relation  to  each  other  as  shown  in  the  cut ;  that 
is,  the  firing  pin  protruding,  and  the  hammer  against  the  breech-block.  In  this  position 
push  them  from  the  under  side  of  the  gun  partly  into  position.  Put  in  the  extractor,  and 
push  the  whole  into  place,  holding  back  the  trigger,  so  that  the  sear  may  not  catch  on 
the  hammer.  Put  back  the  mainspring,  ejector  spring  and  forearm.  Replace  the  stock. 
Winchester  rifles  which  can  be  equipped  with  set  triggers,  take  the  following  styles  : 
Model  1873  single  set  trigger  only.  Models  1886,  1892,  and  1894,  double  set  trigger 
only.  Single  shot  rifles,  except  those  chambered  for  rim  fire  .22,  .32,  .38,  and  .44  W.  C. 
F.,  .25-20,  and  .32  Ideal  cartridges,  the  double  set  trigger,  or  the  Schuetzen  double  set 
trigger  only.  Single  shot  rifles  chambered  for  rim  fire,  .22,  .32,  .^S,  and  .44  W.  C.  F., 
.25-20,  .32  Ideal  cartridges,  can  be  equipped  only  with  the  single  set  trigger  for  single 
shot  rifles  unless  made  with  a  No.  3  barrel,  in  which  case  they  can  be  equipped  with  the 
double  set  trigger,  or  Schuetzen  double  set  trigger.  To  use  the  set  trigger,  (see  Figure  i,) 
after  the  gun  is  closed  and  cocked,  if  the  trigger  is  a  single  set,  push  the  trigger  forward 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS  335 

with  the  thumb  until  a  cHck  is  heard  and  the  trigger  sets  in  a  forward  position.  If  it  is 
a  double  set  trigger,  push  the  rear  trigger  forward  until  a  click  is  heard.  If  it  is  a  Schuet- 
zen  double  set  trigger,  pull  the  rear  trigger  back  until  a  click  is  heard.  The  trigger  is 
then  set,  and  a  very  slight  pull  will  fire  the  gun.  The  trigger  must  be  set  after  each  shot. 
If  it  is  desired  to  make  the  set  finer,  turn  in  the  small  screw  directly  back  of  the  trigger. 
By  turning  it  in  just  to  the  right  point,  the  trigger  can  be  made  to  pull  very  fine  indeed. 

It  is  but  a  comparatively  short  time  since  the  Winchester  repeating  shotgun  with 
the  sliding  forearm  action,  known  as  the  Model  1893,  was  introduced,  yet  it  is  rapidly 
supplanting  the  double  barreled  gun  at  the  trap  and  in  the  field.  At  first  there  was  al- 
most as  much  prejudice  against  this  style  of  gun  as  there  was  against  the  repeating  rifle 
when  it  was  first  introduced,  but  this  quickly  vanished  when  the  wonderful  performances 
and  possibilites  of  the  repeating  shotgun  became  known.  The  United  States  Ordnance 
Board,  after  submitting  a  Winchester  repeating  shotgun  to  the  severest  tests  for  strength 
accuracy,  penetration,  endurance,  excessive  loads,  defective  shells,  rust  and  dust,  made 
the  following  official  finding,  which  is  copied  from  the  U.  S.  Ordnance  Reports: — • 

"  In  the  preliminary  examination  of  the  shotgun,  the  Board  was  of  the  opinion  that 
certain  of  the  component  parts — notably,  the  firing  pin  spring,  cartridge  stop  spring,  and 
sear — were  too  light  and  weak  for  hard  service,  but  the  results  ofthe  severe  tests  to  which 
the  gun  was  subjected  showed  that  every  part  was  strong  and  serviceable.  The  Board 
finds  that  the  gun  possesses  the  advantages  claimed  by  the  manufacturer.  The  sliding 
forearm  movement  insures  the  ease  of  manipulation  from  the  shoulder,  and  the  gun  can 
be  loaded,  unloaded  or  fired  with  safety  and  sufficient  rapidity.  It  is  accurate,  gives 
good  penetration,  especially  with  the  cartridge  containing  heavier  buckshot,  and  has  little 
recoil.  The  working  parts  are  few  in  number,  and  are  simple,  strong,  and  well  made ; 
and  the  Board  is  of  the  opinion  that  the  arm  is  especially  well  adapted  to  the  purpose  for 
which  it  is  intended.  The  Board  has,  therefore,  no  suggestions  nor  recommendations  to 
make  in  the  way  of  improving  the  gun  for  the  use  of  sentinels  in  the  military  service." 

The  great  success  which  attended  the  sale  of  the  Model  1893  repeating  shotgun 
led  the  manufacturers  to  offer  a  new  form  of  this  gun,  which  it  seemed  best,  by  reason  of 
many  changes  and  improvements,  to  call  the  Model  1897,  although  the  users  of  the  Model 
1893  will  recognize  in  it  many  points  of  similarity.  The  old  form  of  sliding  fore-end, 
breech-block,  carrier  block,  hammer,  and  trigger  have  been  retained,  but  in  the  detail  many 
alterations  are  collected  in  the  Model  1897  gun.  The  frame  has  been  altered  to  use  a  234 
inch  shell  as  well  as  a  2  ^  inch.  The  frame  at  the  top  has  been  covered  over  so  that 
the  ejecting  of  the  shell  is  now  entirely  from  the  side.  This  adds  great  strength  to  the  frame, 
and  permits  the  use,  without  danger  of  jamming,  of  a  2  ^^^  inch  shell.  A  new  lock,  open- 
ing by  recoil,  or  otherwise,  at  the  will  of  the  operator,  has  been  put  upon  the  gun.  Under 
the  slide  handle,  and  acting  against  the  stop  on  the  magazine,  is  placed  a  spring.  When 
the  gun  is  closed,  this  spring  pushes  against  the  upper  end  of  the  action  slide,  and  presses 
it  toward  the  stock.       A  lever  is  hung  in  the  carrier  block  :  when  the  slide  handle  is 


330 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 


pressed  forward,  a  spring  in  the  rear  end  of  the  lever  forces  the  forward  end  of  the  lever 
out  and  it  catches  against  the  notch  in  the  action  slide.  While  the  hammer  stands  at  full 
cock,  the  rear  end  of  the  lever  is  forced  outward  and  its  notched  forward  end  holds  the 
slide  fast.  When  the  hammer  stands  at  half  cock,  the  same  occurs.  But  when  the  ham- 
mer has  fallen,  the  spring  which  lies  under  the  rear  end  of  the  lever  forces  the  forward 
end  of  the  lever  toward  the  center  of  the  gun.  The  spring  under  the  slide  handle,  how- 
ever, still  holds  the  forward  end  of  the  lever  in  place,  and  the  gun  cannot  be  opened  until 
a  slight  forward  motion  of  the  slide  handle  releases  the  lever.  Thereupon  it  may  be  opened 
by  pulling  back  the  slide  handle.  In  firing,  the  recoil  of  the  gun  gives  the  slight  forward 
motion  to  the  slide  handle,  releases  the  lever,  and  enables  the  immediate  opening  of  the 
gun.  It  results  from  this  that  the  gun  awaits  the  explosion  of  the  cartridge  before  open- 
ing. If  the  shell  hangs  fire,  the  gun  will  not  come  open  in  the  hands  of  an  operator  who 
is  holding  back  upon  the  slide  handle  with  the  intention  of  making  a  quick  second  shot. 
It  will,  however,  come  immediately  open  when  the  recoil  of  the  gun  occurs.  To  open  the 
gun  at  full  cock,  a  button  upon  the  right  hand  side  must  be  pressed.  This  throws  off  the 
recoil  lock  and  allows  the  gun  to  come  open  by  making  a  slight  forward  push  of  the  slide 
handle.  When  the  hammer  has  fallen  without  exploding  the  cartridge,  it  will  be  necessary 
to  push  forward  the  slide  handle  before  the  gun  can  be  pulled  open.  At  half  cock  the 
gun  is  locked  against  firing  and  opening.  Double  extractors  are  used.  That  on  the 
left  hand  side  guides  the  bolt,  enabling  it  to  be  fitted  close  in  the  frame  so  that  a  tight 
breech  joint  obtains.  Upon  the  right  side  of  the  carrier  block  a  movable  cartridge  guide 
is  placed.  The  motion  of  this  guide  is  so  great  that,  in  connection  with  the  overhang  of 
the  frame,  the  side  opening  of  the  gun  is  completely  covered  at  the  moment  when  the 
cartridge  is  lifted  from  the  magazine  by  the  carrier  block.  This  prevents  the  escape  of 
the  shell  when  the  gun  is  turned  sideways  in  the  act  of  loading.  A  new  firing  pin  lock  is 
also  furnished,  acting  at  the  first  opening  motion  of  the  carrier,  so  that  the  firing  pin  stands 
locked  at  all  times,  except  when  the  gun  is  closed  and  ready  to  fire.  The  arrangement  of 
the  firing  pin  lock  is  such  that  the  firing  pin  is  always  free  at  the  time  of  firing,  and  the 
hammer  has  no  other  work  to  do  than  the  moving  of  the  firing  pin.  The  firing  pin  is 
made  lighter  than  in  the  Model  1893  gun.  This  enables  a  lighter  mainspring  in  its  turn, 
w'ith  shorter  and  lighter  trigger  pull.  Two  cartridge  stops  are  furnished,  one  on  each  side 
opposite  the  mouth  of  the  magazine.  These  carry  the  weight  of  the  cartridges  and  the 
magazine  spring  equally  at  two  opposite  points  on  the  head  of  the  cartridge  so  that  the 
cartridge  is  not  deformed  about  the  head  from  pounding  in  the  magazine.  The  barrel  of 
this  gun  has  been  proved  with  9)4  drams  of  powder,  No.  5,  and  2)4  ounces  shot.  The  gun 
assembled,  has  been  proved  with  two  shots,  four  drams  of  powder  (special  bursting),  i  y^ 
ounce  shot.  It  has  been  shot  for  pattern  three  shots,  and  to  prove  manipulation,  eight  to 
fifteen  shots.  With  ordinary  trap  loads  containing  i  )^  ounce  No.  8  shot  the  gun  will  be 
found  to  pattern  325  pellets  in  a  30  inch  ring  at  40  yards.  This  gun  will  use  any  Icnid  of 
smokeless  powder  which  can  be  properly  loaded  in  a  234  or  2^3  inch.  12  gauge  shell. 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 


337 


To  load  the  magazine,  turn  the  gun,  when  closed,  so  that  the  under  surface  of  the 
carrier  block  can  be  seen.  Lay  the  cartridge  upon  this  and  push  it  into  the  magazine. 
The  magazine  will  contain  five  cartridges,  which,  with  one  in  the  barrel,  make  six  at  the 
command  of  the  shooter.  The  backward  and  forward  motion  of  the  action  slide  carries 
the  cartridge  from  the  magazine  into  the  barrel.  To  unload  the  magazine,  open  the  gun. 
The  cartridge  in  the  chamber  will  be  drawn  out.  The  cartridge  in  the  magazine  will  ap- 
pear on  the  carrier  block,  and,  by  turning  the  gun,  it  can  drop  out  on  to  the  hand.    Make 


Figure  19. 

an  incomplete  closing  motion,  and  again  open  the  gun ;  drop  out  the  next  cartridge,  and 
repeat  until  the  magazine  is  empty. 

The  action  of  the  Model  1897  repeating  shotgun,  opened  and  closed,  is  shown  in 
Figures  19  and  20.  To  dismount  the  gun  see  that  all  lateral  pins  are  driven  out  from  right 
to  left,  except  hammer  pin,  which  drives  out  from  left  to  right.  Remove  band  screw  and 
band.  Remove  magazine  stop  screw  from  receiver.  Grasp  magazine  at  top  and  un- 
screw and  remove  from   receiver  by  hand,  action   slide  and  slide  handle  remaining  on 


Figure  20. 

magazine.  Remove  carrier  pin  stop  screw  from  upper  left  hand  side,  rear  end  of  carrier. 
Cock  hammer,  and  while  pressing  action  slide  lock  release  pin,  push  carrier  clear  down 
with  screw  driver  through  side  of  receiver.  Remove  the  carrier  pin.  Remove  cartridge 
guide  stop  screw  from  right  hand  side  of  receiver  near  trigger  guard.  Pull  carrier  for- 
ward, down  and  out  of  receiver.  Remove  action  slide  lock  release  pin.  Remove  action 
hook  screw  from  right  hand  side  of  the  front  end  of  breech-block.  Remove  action  hook. 
Remove  breech-block  from  the  receiver.     Remove  butt  plate  screw  and  butt  plate.     Take 


338  AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 

out  receiver  bolt  and  the  washer  found  under  butt  plate.  Pull  off  butt  stock.  Remove 
trigger  pin.  Remove  trigger  and  trigger  spring.  Pull  guard  bow  out  to  the  rear.  Re- 
move right  and  left  hand  cartridge  stop  screws  and  cartridge  stops.  Assemble  in  reverse 
order.  To  dismouttt  parts  attached  to  carrier,  uncock  the  hammer  and  remove  sear  spring 
screw  and  the  sear  spring.  Remove  sear  pin  and  sear.  Remove  action  slide  lock  pin 
screw  (the  small  screw  on  the  left  side  of  carrier)  and  action  slide  lock  pin  and  action  slide 
lock.  Remove  action  slide  lock  spring  screw  and  action  slide  lock  spring.  Pull  cart- 
ridge guide  gently  out  from  carrier  and  push  upward  until  it  rides  over  diamond  shaped 
projection  on  upper  corner  of  carrier,  opposite  hammer.  This  operation  uncovers  end  of 
hammer  pin.  Remove  action  slide  release  pin  plunger.  Remove  hammer  pin  and  ham- 
mer. Remove  mainspring  strain  screw.  Remove  mainspring  pin,  and  mainspring  drops 
out  through  rear  end  of  carrier.  Note  that  cartridge  guide  is  not  to  be  removed  from 
carrier  unless  disabled.  Assemble  in  reverse  order.  To  dismount  parts  attached  to  breech- 
block, hold  back  right  hand  extractor  pin  (this  may  be  done  with  a  knife  blade  or  very 
thin  screw  driver),  lift  out  extractor  and  remove  pin  and  spring  from  hole  in  breech-block. 
Drive  out  left  hand  extractor  pin  from  upper  side   of  breech-block  and  remove  Q.xtractor. 


Figure  21. 

Remove  firing  pin  lock  screw  and  firing  pin  lock.  Remove  firing  pin  stop  pin  and  flrmg 
pin.  Assemble  in  reverse  order.  Note  that  in  replacing  firing  pin  lock  it  will  be  found 
most  convenient  to  hold  a  small  block  of  wood  firmly  against  firing  pin  lock,  and  lower 
side  of  breech-block,  while  the  firing  pin  lock  screw  is  placed  in  position. 

The  Winchester  "Take  Down"  repeating  shotgun,  shown  in  Figure  21,  is  the  poi> 
ular  Winchester  Model  1897,  with  a  strong,  simple  serviceable,  and  handy  take-down 
system  applied  to  it.  This  gun  can  be  taken  apart  and  put  together  as  easily  and  quick- 
ly as  a  double-barreled  shotgun,  and  can  be  carried  in  a  Victoria  case,  packed  in  a  trunk, 
or  rolled  up  in  camp  bedding.  The  take-down  .system  used  on  this  gun  is  similar  to  the 
one  used  on  the  Winchester  "Take  Down"  rifles,  which  thorough  and  extensive  trials 
have  demonstrated  to  be  faultless.  'Phe  interrupted  screw  system — a  feature  found  ex- 
clusively in  the  Winchester  "Take  Down"  rides — is  used  on  the  "Take  Down"  shotgun. 
This  permits  the  removal  of  the  barrel  from  the  receiver  by  a  one-quarter  turn.  When 
taken  apart  the  stock  and  action  of  the  gun  nnuiin  in  one  piece,  and  the  barrel,  magazine 
and  forearm  in  another,  the  last  nann.-cl  parts  being  held   together  at  the  breech  end  by  a 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS  339 

ring,  called  the  receiver  extension.  There  are  no  small  pieces  or  springs  to  fall  out  and 
be  lost  when  the  gun  is  taken  apart,  and  no  particular  knack  is  required  to  take  down 
or  put  the  gun  together  quickly  and  easly,  the  operation  being  as  simple  as  that  of  load- 
ing. Besides  being  convenient  to  carry  and  very  easy  to  clean,  a  feature  which  further 
recommends  the  "Take  Down"  is  that  it  can  be  fitted  with  interchangeable  barrels  of  the 
different  lengths  and  different  styles  of  bore. 

The  Winchester  •'  Take  Down  "  "  Trap  "  gun  is  made  in  the  12  guage  "  Take  Down  " 
style  only,  and  according  to  the  following  specifications  :  a  30  inch  rolled  steel  barrel, 
chambered  for  1 2  gauge,  2  ^  inch  shell,  bored  expressly  to  shoot  nitro  powder  and  to  tar- 
get 280  pellets,  or  over,  of  No.  7^  chilled  shot,  inside  a  30  inch  circle  at  40  yards,  with 
a  load  of  3^  drams  of  nitro  powder  and  i^  ounces  of  shot. 


Figure  22. 

The  Winchester  "  Take  Down  "  "  Pigeon  "  gun  differs  from  the  regular  and  "  Trap  " 
"  Take  Down  "  guns  in  length  of  barrel,  which  is  28  instead  of  30  inches,  and  in  exterior 
finish.  The  action  is  the  same  as  the  regular  Model  1897  "  Take  Down."  This  gun  is 
made  according  to  the  same  specifications  as  the  "  Trap  "  gun,  except  the  barrel  is  28  in- 
stead of  30  inches  long  and  handsomely  matted. 

To  take  apart  the  "  Take  Down  "  shotgun,  push  out  the  magazme  locking  pin  (the  large 
pin  found  at  the  front  end  of  the  magazine,  which  pin  answers  as  a  lever  to  unscrew  the 
magazine),  and  unscrew  the  magazine  one-quarter  turn.  Pull  the  magazine  and  action 
slide  forward  and,  grasping  the  barrel  and  magazine  just  ahead  of  the  receiver  extension, 
and  holding  the  action  slide  forward,  unscrew  the  barrel  one-quarter  turn,  the  magazine 
turning  with  the  barrel.     Pull  out  the  barrel  from  the  receiver,  Figure  22. 

1  [\\   \ 

Figure  23. 

To  put  the  gun  together,  grasp  the  barrel  and  magazine  just  ahead  of  the  receiver  exten- 
sion, and  holding  the  action  slide  forward,  insert  the  shank  of  the  barrel  into  its  place  in 

■  the  receiver  in  such  a  position  that  a  quarter  turn  to  the  right  will  lock  the  barrel  into  the 
receiver.     Turn  the  barrel  one-quarter  turn  to  the  right.     Insert  one  finger  of  the  right 

I  hand  in  the  opening  in  the  under  side  of  the  receiver  and  push  up  the  carrier.  Turn  the 
magazine  to  the  extreme  left  and  push  the  magazine  into  the  receiver  as  far  as  it  will  go. 
Turn  the  magazine  one-quarter  turn  to  the  right,  Figure  23,  by  means  of  the  locking  pin, 

.  and  push  in  the  pin.  Care  should  be  taken  to  hold  the  action  slide  forward  when  inserting  and 


340 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 


screwing  the  barrel  into  the  frame.    If  the  end  of  the  action  sHde  is  allowed  to  pro- 
trude, it  will  jam  against  and  scratch  the  receiver,  Figure  24. 

If  the  gun  becomes  loose  at  the  joint  by  wear,  it  may  be  re-adjusted  in  the  fol- 
lowing manner:  Take  the  gun  apart  and  remove  the  adjusting  sleeve  lock  screw. 


.L    \-^ 


glSlfiS" 


Figure  34. 

found  on  the  right  hand  side  of  the  receiver  extension.  Draw  out  the  adjusting 
sleeve  lock.  Figure  25.  By  turning  the  adjusting  sleeve  back  one  or  two  notches, 
the  play  between  the  receiver  extension  and  the  receiver  will  be  taken  up  and  the 


P'igure  25. 

gun  will  go  together  without  shaking,  as  before.  Replace  the  adjusting  sleeve 
lock  and  the  adjusting  sleeve  lock  screw.  This  adjusting  sleeve  should  be  altered 
only  when  absolutely  necessary. 

The  new  Winchester  repeating  shotgun,  Model  1901,  is  made  in  10  gauge,  is 
lever  action  and  fires  6  shots.  It  is  expressly  bored  to  handle  either  smokeless  or 
black  powder,  and  is  particularly  well  adapted  for  duck  and  wild-fowl  shooting. 


Figure: 


This  gun  resembles  in  outline  the  original  Winchester  lever  action  repeating  shot- 
gun, but  differs  in  detail.  It  has  a  tighter  breech  joint  more  completely  supporting 
the  shell  in  the  chamber.  A  positive  firing-pin  retractor  is  provitled.  The  finger 
lever  is  made  separate  from  the  breech-block  and  with  a  finger  lever  lock.  When 
the  action  is  closed,  the  gun  is  locked  against  opening  by  this  finger  lever  lock,  but 
is  instantly  released  by  a  downward  pressure  on  the  finger  lever. 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 


341 


The  standard  gun  is  made  with  a  32-inch  rolled  steel  barrel,  hardened  and 
browned  frame,  and  pistol  grip  stock  of  plain  walnut,  not  checked,  finished  with  a 
checked  steel  butt  plate.  Barrels  for  this  model  are  bored  to  shoot  close  and  hard. 
The  stock  is  12  3-4  inches  long,  and  has  a  drop  of  i  7-8  inch  at  the  comb  and  2  3-8 
inches  at  the  heel,  Figure  26. 

The  operation  of  the  Model  1901  is  simple.  To  load  the  magazine,  throw  down 
the  lever  and  push  five  cartridges  through  the  carrier  into  the  magazine,  placing 
the  sixth  in  the  chamber.  The  forward  and  backward  motion  of  the  finger  lever, 
which  can  be  executed  while  the  gun  is  at  the  shoulder,  throws  out  the  empty  shell, 
raises  a  new  cartridge  from  the  magazine  and  places  it  in  the  chamber. 

WOHLGEMUTH  GUN. 

This  breech-loading  small-arm  has  a  fixed  chamber,  closed  by  a  movable  barrel, 
which  rotates  about  an  axis  at  90  degrees  to  the  axis  of  the  barrel,  horizontal  and 
beneath  the  barrel.  This  arm  is  on  the  general  plan  of  the  Lefaucheux  system, 
and  uses  pin-fire  cartridges.  One  of  the  barrels  is  provided  with  a  rifled  lining, 
which,  being  removed,  shows  a  smooth-bore  barrel  of  larger  caliber  for  the  use  of 
cartridges  containing  buch-shot. 

The  Elterich  rifled  bullet  shell  niay  be  advantageously  used  with  this  gun.  Into 
this  shell  is  fitted  a  rifled  steel  barrel,  chambered  for  insertion  of  small  bullet  car- 
tridges. The  outer  shell  is  slotted  and  bulged  ontivard,  zvJiich  produces  a  springy 
effect,  and  if  the  shell  is  pushed  into  the  barrel  of  the  shot-gun  it  will  make  a  tight 
fit  and  not  loosen,  and  prevent  its  falling  out  or  shifting.     The  rilled  steel  barrel  of 


I 


the  shell  is  provided  with  an  extractor  which  is  so  constructed  that  it  will  adjust 
itself  to  any  ejector,  common  or  automatic,  found  on  single  or  double  shot-guns 
sold  in  the  market,  and  by  opening  the  gun  will  throw  the  bullet  cartridges  from 
the  barrel  in  the  same  way  that  an  ordinary  shell  is  extracted.  With  proper  care 
thousands  of  shots  may  be  fired  with  one  of  these  shells.  The  drawing  shows  the 
shell  for  single  and  double  barrel  shotguns  in  10,  12,  and  i6-gauge. 

WORRELL  RIFLE. 

This  breech-loading  small-arm  has  a  fixed  chamber  and  a  perforated  block  re- 
volving in  a  mortised  frame  about  an  axis  at  right  angles  to  its  length.  When 
closed  the  hole  in  the  block  lies  in  the  prolongation  of  the  bore. 


342  AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 

WURFFLEIN  ARMS. 
The  rifles  and  pistols  made  by  William  Wurfflein,  of  Philadelphia,  are  noted  for 
accuracv  of  construction  and  excellent  shooting  qualities.     The  rifle,  which  is  sin- 


gle shot  breech-loading,  is  constructed  on  the  tip-up  barrel  system.  Figure  i, 
which  is  the  quickest  and  handiest  system  in  use.  For  safety  and  speed  in  loading 
and  cleaning,  effectiveness  and  accuracy,  it  has  no  superior.  It  stands  foremost 
as  to  symmetrical  model,  style  and  beauty  of  workmanship.  Figures  2  and  3  show 
the  sporting  and  gallery  rifles,  with  straight  stock  and  pistol  grip  stock  respect- 
ively. The  barrel  is  octagon  or  half  octagon,  24  inches  long  and  is  .22,  .25  or 
.32  caliber  rim  fire,  and  .25,  .32,  .38  and  .44  caliber  center  fire ;  weight  5  3-4  to 


Figure  2. 

8  1-4  pounds.  It  is  also  made  small  for  ladies  use,  weighing  4  1-2  pounds.  Fig- 
ures 4  and  5  show  the  special  mid-range  target  rifle,  barrel  half  octagon,  28  or  30 
inches  long.     The  caliber  is  .25-20.  .32-35,  .32-40,  .38-55  and-  .40-70,  center  fire. 


Figure  3. 


u3#lg  everlasting  shells  or  factory  ammunition;  weight  7  1-2  to  12  pounds.  It  is 
provided  with  vernier  peep  and  wind  gauge  spirit  level  sights.  It  is  also  made  of 
smaller  bore,  using  .22  l(Mig  rifle  and  .22  special  Winchester  cartridges. 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 


343 


The  Wurfflein  single  shot,  breech-loading  gallery  and  target  pistol.  Figure  6,  is 
constructed  the  same  as  the  rifle.     The  Model  is  most  symmetrical  and  finely  bal- 


Figure  4. 
anced.    It  is  quickly  loaded  and  handy,  and  has  no  superior  for  accuracy  and  pene- 


Figure  5. 
tration.     It  is  made  for  .22  short  or  long  rifle,  .25-rim,  and  .32  or  .44  Russian 


Figure  6. 


center  fire  cartridges,  and  weighs  2^  pounds.     It  is  made  with  or  wiihout  the 
spur  on  the  guard.    The  barrels  are  8  to  10  inches  in  length. 

YAGER  RIFLE. 

This  arm,  sometimes  known  as  the  Mississippi  rifle  and  modeled  in  1842,  was 
very  popular  in  its  day.  It  had  a  bayonet,  a  brown  barrel,  brass  mountings,  and 
there  was  a  patch  box  in  the  stock.  It  shot  a  half  ounce  ball.  Major  Foster  says 
that  in  the  later  forties,  after  the  Alinie  bullet  had  been  devised  in  France,  some 
of  the  model  1842  muskets  were  rifled  and  fitted  with  sights,  making  a  .69  caliber 
rifle,  which  shot  the  Minie  bullet.  This  alteration  in  the  arm  was  considered  suc- 
cessful, and  it  led  to  the  production  of  the  United  States  rifle,  model  1855. 


344  AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 

YOUNG  REPEATING  SHOT  GUN. 

This  arm,  the  invention  of  Mr.  Charles  A.  Young,  the  well-known  and  popu- 
lar trap  shooter,  is  a  single  barrel,  two  shot  gun  without  a  magazine,  designed  for 
target  and  live  bird  shooting,  and  made  to  shoot  nitro  powders.  It  is  hammer- 
less,  and  made  with  a  rib  which  enables  the  shooter  to  more  easily  and  clearly  line 
up  the  g^n  by  making  a  stright  line  of  sight.  It  is  a  take  down,  and  has  no  extra 
length  on  account  of  the  shell  carrier.  It  has  a  solid  breech  block  containing  a 
groove  large  enough  to  admit  the  end  of  the  barrel,  making  it  absolutely  safe. 
The  action  of  the  gun  is  simple  and  positive,  very  easy  to  operate  and  shoots  any 
length  of  shells  from  2%  to  3  inches. 

To  assemble  the  gun,  place  the  butt  of  the  stock  under  the  right  arm,  grasp 
the  stock  at  the  pistol  grip  and  put  the  forefinger  over  the  safety  finger  slide  that 
projects  under  the  breech  block  in  front  of  the  trigger  guard.  To  assemble  the 
gim  if  it  is  not  cocked,  it  is  only  necessary  to  slide  it  together. 

To  take  the  gun  down,  move  the  barrel  out  about  one  and  one-half  inches 
from  the  breech  block  and  take  the  thumb  of  the  left  hand  and  press  down  on  the 
front  piece  of  the  cocking  rod  and  disconnect  the  same.  Then,  with  the  front  fir.- 
ger  of  the  right  hand,  push  up  the  latch  lever  and  hold  this  latch  up  until  the  bar- 
rel is  removed. 

In  order  to  use  this  gun  as  a  two  shot  gun,  when  the  gun  is  closed,  push 
backward  on  the  safety  button  on  the  bottom  of  the  breech  block.  This  releases 
the  carrier  and  permits  it  to  come  up  and  the  shell  is  placed  in  the  carrier  and 
pushed  down  until  the  shell  catches  under  the  latch,  which  holds  the  shell  down 
and  the  second  load  is  placed  in  the  barrel ;  the  gun  is  closed  and  the  shells  are  in 
the  proper  position.  After  the  first  shell  is  discharged,  with  the  left  hand  push  the 
barrel  forward,  giving  it  full  stroke,  then  bring  the  same  back  and  it  is  ready  for 
the  second  shot. 

In  placing  the  shell  in  the  carrier,  take  the  same  between  the  thuml)  and  mid- 
dle finger,  front  finger  on  top  of  the  shell ;  slant  the  shell  down  and  press  back  on 
the  same.  This  will  put  the  shell  under  the  little  finger  which  holds  the  shell  in 
the  carrier;  then,  if  the  front  finger  is  pressed  down  and  pulled  back,  the  shell  will 
go  under  the  latch  and  remain  down. 

For  tra})  shooting,  where  one  shot  is  required  only,  close  the  gun,  push  for- 
ward on  the  safety  button  on  the  bottom  of  the  breech  block  and  this  holds  the 
carrier  down  and,  for  the  single  shot,  place  the  shell  in  the  barrel. 

When  the  gun  is  closed,  the  barrel  cannot  be  moved  forward  until  the  gun  i^ 
fired  or  the  safety  finger  slide  in  front  of  the  guard  pulled  back.  If  the  gun  is 
loaded  and  it  is  desired  to  remove  the  shell  without  discharging  the  same,  jnill 
back  on  the  safety  finger  in  front  of  the  guard  and  the  gun  will  open  and  the  shell 
can  l)e  removed. 


I 


AMERICAN    SMALL   AR  M  S  345 

Under  the  foregoing  alphabetical  arrangement  appears  the  most  prominent 
and  generally  well  known  varieties  of  the  several  Classes  of  Small  Arms.  A 
description  of  all  varieties  of  all  classes,  aggregating  several  thousand  in  number, 
is  in  course  of  preparation,  and  will  be  issued  in  supplemental  form,  under  the 
following  headings :  Breech-loading  Guns — The  barrel  sliding  forward ;  the 
barrel  tilting  up  at  the  breech ;  the  barrel  tilting  up  at  the  muzzle,  the  barrel 
hinged  to  the  stock ;  the  barrel  swinging  laterally  on  a  vertical  pin ;  the  barrrel  ro- 
tating on  a  parallel  pin ;  the  breech-block  drawn  back  by  hand  or  lever ;  the  breech- 
block swinging  upward  and  forward;  the  breech-block  swinging  laterally  for- 
Avard ;  the  breech-block  swinging  backward  and  downward ;  the  breech-block 
swinging  on  a  center  or  trunnions ;  the  breech-block  swinging  upward  and  back- 
ward ;  the  breech-block  swinging  laterally  backward ;  the  breech-block  swinging 
downward  and  backward ;  the  breech-block  swinging  on  a  longitudinal  pin  or 
hinge;  the  breech-block  sliding  vertically  in  a  mortise;  the  breech-block  sliding 
laterally  in  a  mortise;  faucet  breech-block  (chambered)  ;  faucet  breech-block  with 
a  chamber  in  front ;  rotating  sleeve  on  the  barrel ;  gas  operated  and  recoil  operated. 
Magazine  Guns — The  barrel  sliding  forward;  the  barrrel  tilting  upwards  at  the 
breech ;  the  barrel  tilting  up  at  the  muzzle ;  the  barrel  hinged  to  the  stock ;  the  bar- 
rel swinging  laterally  on  a  vertical  pin ;  the  barrel  rotating  on  a  parallel  pin ;  longi- 
tudinally reciprocating  breech-bolt  (spring-impelled  firing-pin).  Same  with  fir- 
ing-pin impelled  by  a  rotating  hammer;  the  breech-block  swinging  upward  and 
forward ;  the  breech-block  swinging  laterally  forward ;  the  breech-block  swinging 
backward  and  downward;  the  breech-block  swinging  on  a  center  or  trunnions; 
the  breech-block  swinging  upward  and  backward ;  the  breech-block  swinging  later- 
ally backward ;  the  breech-block  swinging  downward  and  backward ;  the  breech- 
block swinging  on  a  longitudinal  pin  or  hinge ;  the  breech-block  sliding  vertically 
in  a  mortise;  the  breech-block  sliding  laterally  in  a  mortise;  faucet  breech-block 
(chambered)  ;  rotating  carrier  filled  from  a  fixed  magazine  and  discharged  in  the 
carrier;  rotating  carrier.  Muzzle-loaders.  Pistols.  Revolvers — Muzzle- 
loading,  breech-loading. 

At  this  time  the  only  radical  improvement  in  muskets  under  study  is  the  ap- 
plication of  the  automatic  principle,  to  the  extent  of  causing  the  musket  itself  to 
effect  its  own  reloading  upon  discharge.  The  principle  has  been  already  applied 
with  some  success  to  pistols,  and  its  advocates  claim  that  it  is  logically  in  the  line 
of  development  of  the  magazine  rifle,  in  reducing  to  a  minimum  the  interval  be- 
tween aimed  shots.  Both  tactical  and  mechanical  questions  are  involved  in  the 
consideration  of  the  possible  desirability  of  the  substitution  of  a  semi-automatic 
musket  for  the  hand-operated  magazine  rifle.  Up  to  the  present  the  mechanical 
invention  has  not  solved  its  part  of  the  problem. 

During  the  last  few  years  American  gunmakers  have  manifested  much  interest 


346 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 


in  single  triggers,  and  this  meritorious  device  is  now  larg-ely  adopted.  The  old 
double  trigger  does  very  well  for  game  shooting  in  the  field,  but  when  it  comes  to 
the  trap — particularly  at  live  birds — many  have  witnessed  the  careful,  studied 
finger  shifting,  and  often  painful  laceration,  which,  continued  at  every  shot,  is 
bound  to  have  eflfect  on  the  strongest  nerve  and  induce  involuntary  flinching.  It 
is  beHeved  by  many  that  the  single  trigger  will  remove  a  great  many  impediments 
which  have  existed  in  the  past,  marring  both  pleasure  and  scores.  In  the  latest 
device  the  mechanism  has  an  addition  of  a  safety  against  the  double  or  simul- 
taneous discharge  of  both  barrels.  To  render  this  impossible,  a  weight  or  coun- 
terbalance is  attached  to  the  trigger,  which  weight  works  as  a  block  swinging  de- 
vice, between  the  first  and  second  barrels,  locking  the  mechanism  between  the  two 
shots  absolutely,  so  only  one  barrel  at  a  time  can  possibly  be  discharged,  when 
both  hammers  are  cocked  it  shoots  always  the  right  barrel  first  and  the  left  barrel 
second.  Either  hammer,  however,  can  be  cocked  and  fired  by  the  single  trigger 
separately. 

The  Philadelphia  Arms  Company,  the  Union  Fire  Arms  Company,  the  Tor- 
kelson  Manufacturing  Company  and  the  Heal  Rifle  Company  have  recently  en- 
gaged in  the  manufacture  of  small  arms  possessing  meritorious  features. 

The  Philadelphia  Arms  Company  manufacture  the  A.  H.  Fox  hammerless 
gun,  which  combines  the  best  mechanical  principles  known  to  the  gunmaker's  art 
with  an  extremely  simple  and  strong  mechanism.     The  parts  are  interchangeable. 


The  locks  are  cocked  by  the  dropping  of  the  barrels.  The  cocking  roll,  whicli 
turns  on  the  hinge-pin  as  the  barrels  drop,  pushes  back  the  cocking  slide,  which 
slide  in  turn  i)ushes  back  the  hammer,  and  at  the  same  lime  compresses  a  spiral 
mainsi)ring.  The  sear  then  engages  in  the  cock  notch  and  holds  the  hammer  back 
and  the  niainsj)ring  under  compression  until  released  by  pulling  the  trigger  in  the 
usual  manner.  The  barrel  locking  mechanism  j^revents  the  gun  from  shooting 
loose,  especially  when  heavy  charges  of  smokeless  powder  are  used.     A  rotary 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS  347 

bolt,  which  locks  through  an  extension  rib,  draws  the  barrels  back  and  down  to  the 
frame  and  holds  them  absolutely  tight.  The  bolt  is  tapered  or  wedge  shaped  on 
its  wearing  surface,  and  arranged  so  that  as  it  wears  it  works  in  further  and  thus 
by  its  wedge  shape  compensates  for  wear. 

The  Union  Fire  Arms  Company  are  now  putting  on  the  market  a  single  and 
double  barreled  shot  gun,  a  double  barreled  automatic  ejector  shot  gun,  and  a  six 
shot  magazine  shot  gun,  all  of  excellent  design  and  quality  and  bored  for  nitro 
powder.  The  double  barreled  hammerless,  with  or  without  an  automatic  ejector, 
is  12  gauge,  full  choked,  with  a  very  simple  and  efifective  mechanism.  The  ham- 
mer gun  has  the  hammers  in  the  top  of  the  frame  instead  of  on  the  side,  and  is  as 
smooth  in  outward  appearance  as  a  hammerless.  The  six  shot  magazine  repeat- 
ing shot  gun  is  a  take  down,  having  a  solid  breech  block  and  a  covered  mechanism 
and  is  hammerless.  An  indicating  trigger  enables  the  user  to  cock  or  uncock  the 
gun  without  working  the  magazine. 

The  Torkelson  Manufacturing  Company  make  a  specialty  of  their-  single 
trigger  double  barrel  hammerless  gun,  and  their  single  barrel  gun,  made  in  auto- 
matic ejector  and  non-ejector.  This  Company  has  recently  taken  on  the  manu- 
facture of  the  Nezv  Worcester  hammerless  gun,  for  a  description  of  which  the 
reader  is  referred  to  page  242.     In  the  single  trigger  gun,  the  mechanism  is  such 


that  it  is  absolutely  impossible  to  discharge  both  barrels  at  once,  and  when  one 
barrel  is  fired  the  trigger  changes  automatically  to  the  other  without  any  attention 
from  "The  man  behind  the  gun."  When  shooting  at  the  trap  most  sportsmen  use 
the  left  barrel,  in  such  cases  the  trigger  can  be  set  for  that  barrel,  and  there  will 
be  no  "pulling  the  wrong  trigger"  and  loosing  the  bird ;  or  if  it  is  desirable  to  use 
the  right  barrel  the  trigger  can  be  set  in  an  instant  without  taking  the  gun  from 
the  shoulder,  or  changing  the  position  of  either  hand  or  finger,  by  pushing  the 
rocker  forward.  The  safety  mehcanism  is  automatic,  and  of  simple  construction, 
easily  taken  out  and  assembled,  and  is  positive  in  its  action.       The  single  barrel 


348  AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 

£jun  is  chokc-borcd  for  black  and  nitro  powders.  It  is  provided  with  a  heavy  lupr 
which  has  a  slot  milled  near  the  breech  end  to  correspond  with  a  cross  bar  in  the 
receiver;  by  this  construction  the  strain  of  the  discharge  is  divided  between  the 
cross  bar  and  joint  bolt,  a  feature  of  great  importance,  securing  both  strength  and 
safety.  The  taking  down  is  done  by  simply  removing  the  spring  latch  joint  bolt 
from  the  left  side  of  the  receiver.  The  receiver  or  action,  which  contains  all  the 
lock  work,  is  made  in  one  piece,  particular  attention  having  been  paid  to  the  proper 
distribution  of  material,  the  greatest  strength  being  found  wdiere  the  strain  is  most 
severe.  The  manner  of  fastening  the  stock  to  the  receiver,  as  shown  in  the  draw- 
ing, is  novel ;  instead  of  having  the  round  tang  extend  into  the  stock  in  the  usual 
way,  the  wood  is  inside  and  the  steel  tangs  on  the  outside.  This,  together  with, 
the  two  undercuts  in  the  receiver,  gives  a  treble  lock- joint  which  for  strength  and 
neatness  cannot  be  excelled.     The  hammer  is  of  the  low  type  and  rebounding 

The  Heal  Rifle  Company  are  making  a  specialty  of  a  rifle  chambered  for  .22 
caliber  long  or  short  rim  fire  cartridges,  firing  twenty  shots  per  minute.  It  has  a 
front  wedge  sight  and  an  adjustable  rear  peep  sight;  the  latter  being  adjusted  by 
the  turning  of  a  screw.  The  take  down  principle  is  simple  and  convenient — turn- 
ing the  take  down  screw  out  of  the  hub  the  barrel  can  be  lifted  out  of  the  stock. 
Reversing  the  operation  puts  it  together.  To  load,  the  pushing  of  the  lever  opens 
the  action  for  the  cartridge,  which  after  being  dropped  into  the  opening  provided 
for  the  purpose,  requires  no  further  attention  whatever,  for  on  closing  the  action 
the  breech  bolt  carries  the  cartridge  into  the  chamber  in  the  barrel.  By  pulling 
the  thumb  nut  backwards  the  rifle  is  cocked  ready  for  firing,  and  after  firing,  the 
exploded  shell  is  automatically  ejected  by  opening  the  action  for  the  next  load. 

The  new  Springfield  Magazine  Rifle  now  under  construction  and  taking  the 
place  of  the  Krag-Jorgensen  (see  page  197),  while  possessing  many  improve- 
ments on  the  latter,  is  far  from  what  might  be  considered  the  best  and  most  prac- 
ticable arm  for  our  troops.  The  principal  points  of  its  difiference  from  the  Krag- 
Jorgensen  are  the  use  of  two  lugs  instead  of  one  for  holding  the  bolt  against  the 
rearward  pressure  of  the  powder,  with  resulting  increase  of  strength  sufficient  to 
enable  a  velocitv  of  2.300  feet  per  second  to  be  obtained ;  the  housing  of  the  maga- 
zine in  the  stock  directly  l)elow  the  chamber  instead  of  having  it  i)roject  to  one 
side.  In  addition  to  these  there  are  various  changes  of  details  which  both  im- 
prove the  rifle  and  cheapen  and  accelerate  its  production.  The  arm  is  supplied 
with  a  cleaning  rod  which  can  be  i)artially  indled  from  its  ])laco  below  the  barrel 
and  held  with  a  catch  so  as  to  form  a  bayonet.  Its  great  advantage  is  that  it 
lightens  the  weight  made  u])  of  the  gun.  bayonet,  and  bayonet  scabbard,  and  h\ 
dispensing  with  the  latter  two  as  separate  articles  to  be  carried  permits  the  sol- 
dier to  carry  with  him  an  intrenching  tool  of  sufficient  size  and  weight  to  be  ser- 
viceable.    There  are  difl'erences  of  opinion  as  to  the  value  of  the  rod  bayonet; 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS  349 

although  less  effective  as  a  bayonet  alone  than  the  one  now  in  use  in  the  service, 
it  is  undoubtedly  of  some  value  in  converting-  the  musket  into  a  pike,  and  in  view 
of  the  increasing  prominence  of  the  intrenching  tool  and  the  decreasing  occasion 
for  the  use  of  the  bayonet  its  experimental  substitution  is  in  line  with  a])parcnt 
progress  in  subordinating  the  latter  to  the  former. 

The  piece  is  centrally  fed  by  means  of  clips,  each  of  which  holds  five  cart- 
ridges. It  has  a  caliber  of  .30  inch,  and  the  rifling  is  made  up  of  four  grooves  of 
a  depth  of  0.004  inch,  the  twist  being  one  turn  in  10  inches.  The  bullet  weighs 
220  grains,  wdiich  is  the  same  as  that  of  the  Krag-Jorgensen,  but  the  powder 
charge  has  been  raised  from  37.6  to  43.3  grains.  In  spite  of  the  considerable  in- 
crease in  its  power  the  weapon  has  been  greatly  reduced  in  weight ;  for  while  the 
Krag-Jorgensen  rifle  weighs  10.64  pounds,  the  Mauser  10.5  pounds,  and  the  Ger- 
man military  rifle  11.54  pounds,  the  new  weapon  weighs  only  9.47  pounds.  It 
follows,  as  a  matter  of  course,  that,  \vith  such  high  velocity  and  fairly  heavy  bul- 
let, the  trajectory  is  correspondingly  flat,  the  maximum  ordinate  of  the  1,000-yard 
trajectory  being  only  20.67  feet  as  against  25.8  feet  for  the  Krag-Jorgensen  gun, 
a  very  material  difference. 

The  cartridge  for  the  .30  caliber  arm  consists  of  the  case,  bullet,  primer  and 
charge  of  smokeless  pozcder.  The  case  has  a  flanged  head,  primer  seat,  conical 
body,  shoidder,  cylindrical  neck,  and  is  made  of  brass.  The  bullet  is  lubricated, 
and  has  a  core  of  lead  and  tin.  composition  jacketed  with  cupro-nickel ;  it  has  three 
grooves,  and  the  mouth  of  the  case  is  crimped  into  the  front  groove  to  secure  the 
bullet  in  place.  The  core  is  composed  of  i  part  of  tin  and  25  parts  of  lead  by  weight  ; 
this  proportion  is  varied  slightly  in  order  to  keep  the  weight  of  the  finished  bullet 
constantly  at  220  grains.  The  primer  is  composed  of  a  cup,  made  of  cartridge 
copper  and  containing  the  composition,  a  water  proofed  paper  disc,  and  a  brass 
anvd.  In  plan,  the  anvil  is  a  circle  with  two  small  semicircular  portions  removed 
from  opposite  sides;  these  two  openings  form  vents  for  the  passage  of  the  flame 
from  the  composition  to  the  powder.  The  powder  is  of  the  nitro  glycerine  type. 
Up  to  the  present  time  three  different  American  powders  have  been  used  (Peyton, 
Du  Pont  and  Laflin  &  Rand  W.  A.).  The  charge  varies  with  the  powder  used 
from  35  to  42  grains.  The  primer  composition  is  known  as  H-48,  and  consists  of 
8.63  per  cent,  sulphur,  25.12  per  cent,  antimony  sulphide,  49.61  per  cent,  potas- 
sium chlorate  and  16.64  per  cent,  glass  crystals.  The  weight  of  the  cartridge 
complete  varies  from  435  to  442  grains. 

The  standard  instrumental  velocity,  at  53  feet  from  the  muzzle,  of  this  am- 
munition in  the  rifle,  is  1,960  feet  per  second,  with  an  allowed  variation  of  but 
15  feet  per  second  on  either  side  of  the  standard.  This  instrumental  velocity  at 
•  53  feet  corresponds  to  a  muzzle  velocity  in  the  rifle  of  about  2,000  feet  per  second. 
The  velocity  in  the  carbine  is  80  feet  per  second  less  than  in  the  rifle. 


i 


360  AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 

SHOOTING  RULES. 

DEFINITION    OP   TKRMS. 

BROKEN  TARGET. 
A  broken  target  is  one  which  has  at  least  a  visible  piece  or  pieces  broken 
from  it,  or  which  is  completely  reduced  to  dust,  or  which  has  a  visible  sec- 
tion broken   from   it   even   though  such   section  be  broken  into  dust  by  the 
contestant's  shot. 

DUSTED  TARGET. 
A  dusted  target  is  one  from  which  more  or  less  dust  is  knocked  by  the 
contestant's    shot,    but    which    shows    no    visible    diminution    in  size  therefrom. 
A  dusted  target  is  not  a  broken  target. 

DULY  NOTIFIED. 
A  contestant  is  duly  notified  to  compete  when  his  name  is  called  out  by 
the  Referee,  Scorer  or  other  person  authorized  to  do  so  by  the  Management. 
If  a  squad  hustler  is  furnished,  it  is  a  matter  of  courtesy  only,  and  does  not 
in  the  least  relieve  the  contestant  from  responsibility.  It  is  the  duty  of  each 
and  every  contestant  to  be  promptly  on  hand  to  compete  when  called  to  do 
so.     Failing  therein,  each  contestant  is  responsible  for  his  acts  of  negligence. 

PULL. 
Besides  being  a  command  to  the  Puller,  the  command  "Pull"  is  a  declara- 
tion by  the  contestant  that  he  is  in  the  competition,  and,  thereafter,  he  must 

abide  bv  the  result. 

BALK. 

Any  occurrence,  not  chargeable  to  the  contestant,  which  directly  and  mate- 
rially interferes  with  him  and  the  equity  of  the  competition  after  he  calls  "Pull," 
constitutes  a  balk,  if  it  deters  him  from  shooting  or  if  it  coincidentally  interferes 
with  him  when  he  actually  shoots;  but  if  he  shoots  after  the  balk  occurs,  he  must 
abide  by  the  result.  The  Referee  shall  alone  decide  on  a  claim  of  balk,  and  the 
claim  can  be  made  only  by  the  party  directly  interested.  Misfires,  a  half-open 
trap,  etc.,  are  considered  as  balks.  A  balk,  when  allowed,  restores  the  contestant 
to  a  comi)lete  new  inning. 

DISQUALIFICATION. 

Disqualification  carries  with  it  a  forfeiture  of  all  entrance  money  and  rights 
in  the  competition  to  which  it  relates. 

JARRING     BACK. 

Jarring  Back  is  a  term  which  denotes  that  from  the  concussion  of  the  first 
barrel  the  safety  has  been  jarred  back  to  safe.  The  slipping  back  is  not  infre- 
quently caused  by  the  thumb  of  the  shooter,  but  whatever  may  be  the  cause,  the 
contestant  nuist  abitlc  by  \hv  result. 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS  351 

WALK    AROUND. 
Walk  Around  denotes  that,  after  shooting,  each  contestant  walks  to  the 
consecutive  firing  point  to  shoot  again.     After  shooting  at  No.  5,  the  contestant 
next  shoots  at  No.  i. 

NO    BIRD    OR    NO    TARGET 
After  the  Referee  declares  a  "no  bird"  or  a  "no  target,"  such  bird  or  target 
is  thereafter  no  part  of  the  competition  and  is  irrelevant  to  it. 
WIDELY    DIFFERENT    ANGLE. 
When  a  target  varies  more  than  thirty  degrees  either  way,  in  shooting  at 
known  angles,  it  may  be  refused  by  the  contestant,  but  he  does  so  subject  to  the 
decision  of  the  Referee  as  to  whether  it  was  a  legal  angle  or  not. 
SIMULTANEOUS     DISCHARGE. 
A  Simultaneous  Discharge  is  one  wherein  both  barrels  are  discharged  to- 
gether, or  nearly  together,  from  any  cause. 

DEAD     BIRD. 
A  bird  is  scored  as  being  dead  if  it  is  gathered  legally ;  and  legally  is  accord- 
ing to  the  requirements  of  the  rules. 

LOST    BIRD. 
A  bird  is  lost  when  it  escapes  beyond  the  boundary,  even  though  it  be  killed. 

PIVOT     MAN. 
In  squads  of  six,  the  system  of  shooting  is  "walk  around,"  and,  five  men  at 
the  firing  points,  the  man  in  waiting  is  the  pivot  man.     When  No.  i  shoots,  the 
pivot  man  takes  his  place  at  No.  i  firing  point,  and,  each  contestant  moving  to 
the  next  place,  No.  5  man,  after  shooting  thereafter,  is  the  pivot  man. 

INNING. 
The  term  "inning"  denotes  a  contestant's  time  at  the  firing  point,  commencing 
with  the  call  of  "Pull"  and  ending  accordingly,  as  specified  in  these  Rules. 


INTERSTATE  ASSOCIATION  TRAP  SHOOTING  RULES. 

TARGETS. 

RULE  I.— THE  MANAGEMENT 

Section  i.  The  Management  of  the  INTERSTATE  ASSOCIATION 
reserves  the  authority  to  reject  any  entry  without  giving  any  reason  therefor,  and 
to  disqualify,  in  whole  or  in  part,  any  contestant  who  acts  ungentlcmanly,  or  dis- 
orderly, or  who  handles  his  gun  dangerously. 

Section  2.  The  Management  or  its  authorized  representative  shall  appoint 
a  Referee  or  Referees,  or  a  Referee  and  Judges,  and  a  Scorer  or  Scorers,  and  a 


352  AMERICAN    Si\l  ALL   ARMS 

Trap  Puller  or  Trap  Pullers,  and  such  other  assistants  as  it  may  deem  to  be 
necessary. 

RULE  2.— THE  REFEREE. 

Besides  attending  to  the  special  duties  as  set  forth  hereinafter,  the  Referee 
shall  adjudicate  the  competition.  He  shall  distinctly  announce  the  result  of  each 
shot  by  calling  out  "dead"  or  "broke"  when  the  target  is  broken,  and  "lost"  when 
the  target  is  unbroken.  He  shall  decide  all  other  issues  which  arise  in  relation 
to  the  direct  competition.  His  decision  in  all  cases  shall  be  final. 
RULE  3.— THE  REFEREE  AND  JUDGES. 

Whenever  a  Referee  and  Judges  are  appointed,  the  Referee's  sole  duty  shall 
be  to  decide  any  and  all  disagreements  between  the  Judges,  and,  pending  the  issue 
thereof  and  the  Referee's  decision  thereon,  there  shall  be  no  competition.  The 
Judges  shall  assume  the  responsibilities  and  are  vested  with  the  authority  set 
forth  in  Rule  2  concerning  the  Referee,  except  that,  in  case  of  any  disagreement 
between  them,  they  shall  forthwith  submit  it  to  the  Referee,  and  his  decision 
thereon  shall  be  final. 

RULE  4-— THE  SCORER. 

The  Scorer  shall  keep  an  accurate  record  of  each  shot  of  each  contestant. 
Accordingly  as  the  Referee  calls  "dead,"  "broke"  or  "lost,"  the  Scorer  shall 
promptly  respond  with  the  call  "dead,"  "broke"  or  "lost."  He  shall  mark  the 
figure  I  for  "dead"  or  "broke,"  and  a  O  for  "lost."  The  Scorer's  record  of  the 
competition  so  kept  shall  be  the  official  score,  and  it  shall  govern  all  awards  and 
records  of  such  competition.  When  possible  to  do  so,  the  Scorer  shall  keep  the 
scores  on  a  blackboard,  plainly  placed  in  view  of  the  contestants.  He  shall 
announce  the  total  of  each  contestant's  score  at  its  close. 
RULE  5.— THE  PULLER. 

Section  i.  The  Puller  shall  have  charge  of  springing  the  traps.  He  shall 
spring  the  trap  or  traps  instantly  in  response  to  the  contestant's  call  of  "Pull." 

Section  2.  The  Puller  shall  have  an  unobstructed  view  of  the  contestants 
at  the  firing  points. 

Section  3.  When  a  mechanical  device  is  used  to  determine  which  trap  shall 
be  sprung,  the  Puller  shall  be  so  placed  and  shall  so  act  that  any  contestant  at  tiio 
firing  point  cannot  know  in  advance  which  trap  is  to  be  sprung. 

Section  4.  The  Management  may  appoint  an  assistant  Puller  to  take  charge 
of  the  mechanical  device,  and  to  require  that  the  traps  be  sprung  accordingly 
as  determined  by  it. 

Section  5.  If  the  Puller  springs  the  traps  so  negligently  or  so  irregularly 
as  to  impair  the  equity  of  the  competition,  the  Management  may  forthwith  remove 
him. 


AMERICAN    SMALL   A  R  M  S  353 

RULE  6.— CONTESTANT. 

Section  i.  A  contestant  is  prohibited  from  loading:  his  gun  at  any  time  other 
than  when  he  is  at  the  firing  point.  In  single  target  shooting,  he  shall  place  only 
one  cartridge  in  his  gun,  and  he  shall  open  it  and  remove  therefrom  the  cartridge 
or  empty  shell  before  turning  from  or  leaving  the  firing  point.  Should  any  con- 
testant willfully  violate  this  Section  of  this  Rule,  or  violate  it  after  having  been 
warned,  the  Referee  or  the  Management  may  fine  him  from  $i.oo  to  $5.00,  or  may 
disqualify  him. 

Section  2.  When  at  the  firing  point  ready  for  competition,  the  contestant 
shall  give  distinctly  the  command  "Pull"  to  the  Puller,  and,  after  giving  such 
command,  such  contestant  is  unqualifiedly  in  the  competition. 

Section  3.  All  claims  of  error  must  be  made  before  or  immediately  after 
the  close  of  a  score  by  the  contestant,  or  the  contestants,  directly  interested  in  it ; 
otherwise  any  claim  of  error  shall  not  be  considered. 

Section  4.    A  contestant  may  hold  his  gun  in  any  position. 

Section  5.  A  contestant  must  be  at  the  firing  point  within  three  minutes 
after  having  been  duly  notified  to  contest;  failing  therein,  he  may  be  fined  $1.00 
by  the  Referee  or  the  Management,  or  may  be  disqualified.  However,  when  so 
requested  by  a  contestant,  the  Referee  may  grant  a  reasonable  delay  to  him. 

Section  6.  Shooting  on  the  grounds  in  any  place  other  than  at  the  firing 
points  is  prohibited. 

RULE  7.— CHALLENGE. 

A  contestant  may  challenge  the  load  of  any  other  contestant,  under  Section  2 
of  Rule  II.  Such  challenge  must  be  in  writing,  and  signed  by  the  challenger,  and 
must  have  $5.00  forfeit  posted  therewith  in  the  hands  of  the  Management.  On 
receipt  of  such  challenge,  the  Management  shall  obtain  a  cartridge  or  cartridges 
from  the  challengeewhenhe  is  at  thefiring  point, and  if,afterpublicexamination 
of  the  cartridge  or  cartridges  so  obtained,  the  Management  finds  that  the  challengee 
was  violating  Section  2  of  Rule  11,  he  may  be  disqualified  or  not,  according  as  the 
Management  deems  the  offense  to  have  been  wilfully  committed,  or  otherwise.  In 
case  the  challengee  is  wholly  innocent  of  any  violation  of  Section  2,  Rule  11,  the 
$5.00  forfeit  shall  be  paid  to  him ;  otherwise  it  shall  be  returned  to  the  challenger. 
RULE  8.— TARGETS. 

Section  i.  If  a  contestant  does  not  shoot  in  any  of  the  instances  herewith 
specified,  the  Referee  or  Judge  shall  declare  a  "no  target,"  but  if  the  contestant 
shoots  the  result  shall  be  scored,  respectively: 

(a)  when  the  trap  is  sprung  at  a  material  interval  of  time  before  or  after 
the  call  of  "Pull."  ; 

(b)  when  the  trap  is  sprung  without  any  call  of  "Pull" ; 


354  AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 

(c)  when  a  target  which  should  be  thrown  at  a  known  angle  is  thrown  at  a 
widely  different  angle; 

(d)  when,  in  single  target  shooting,  two  targets  are  thrown  at  the  same 
time; 

(e)  when,  five  known  traps  being  used,  a  target  is  thrown  from  any  trap 
other  than  the  one  wkich  corresponds  in  number  to  that  of  the  firing  point  at  which 
stands  the  contestant  whose  turn  it  is  to  shoot. 

Sf.ction  2.  It  is  a  "no  target,"  and  the  Referee  shall  allow  another  target, 
or  targets   (b)   respectively: 

(a)  when  a  contestant  shoots  out  of  turn; 

(b)  when  in  double  shooting  both  barrels  of  the  contestant's  gun  are  dis- 
charged simultaneously ; 

(c)  when  two  contestants,  or  when  a  contestant  and  a  non-contestant,  shoot 
at  the  same  target ; 

(d)  when  there  is  a  misfire  of  the  contestant's  gun  or  cartridge.  A  contestant 
who  uses  a  gun  or  cartridge  which  has  once  misfired  in  the  competition  must  abide 
by  the  results  if  he  knowingly  uses  either  in  the  competition  thereafter; 

(e)  when  a  broken  target  is  thrown.  It  is  a  "no  target,"  whether  hit  or 
missed ; 

(f)  when  a  contestant  is  balked; 

(g)  when  there  is  any  other  reason  not  provided  for  in  these  Rules,  if,  in  the 
allowed  without  charge.  Competitors  not  present  at  the  firing-points  at  the  hour 
opinion  of  the  Referee,  it  materially  affects  the  equity  of  the  competition : 

Section  3.  In  double-target  shooting,  if  the  contestant  does  not  shoot,  the 
Referee  shall  allow  him  another  pair  when  one  target  follows  the  other  after  a 
material  interval  of  time,  instead  of  taking  flight  simultaneously. 

Section  4.  In  double-target  shooting,  the  Referee  shall  declare  "no  targets," 
whether  the  contestant  shoots  or  not,  respectively: 

(a)  when  only  one  target  is  thrown; 

(b)  when  both  targets  are  broken  by  one  shot ; 

(c)  when  one  target  is  a  piece  or  both  targets  are  pieces. 

Section  5.  When,  in  double-target  shooting,  the  contestant  uses  a  magazine 
gun,  it  is  "no  targets,"  and  the  Referee  shall  allow  another  pair,  respectively : 

(a)  when,  in  the  attempt  to  eject  the  empty  shell,  the  head  of  it  is  pulled 
o(T,  thereby  leaving  an  obstruction  in  the  chamber  of  the  gun  and  preventing  the 
reloading  for  the  second  shot ; 

(b)  when,  after  the  first  shot  is  fired  and  the  gun  is  opened  properly,  the 
extractor  fails  to  extract  the  empty  shell. 

Section  6.     When,  in  double-target  shooting,  the  contestant  uses  a  magazine 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS  356 

gun,  it  is  not  "no  targets,"  and  the  Referee  shall  not  allow  another  pair,  respec- 
tively : 

(a)  when,  after  the  first  shot,  the  empty  shell,  although  it  be  extracted  from 
the  chamber,  is  not  ejected  from  the  gun,  thereby  preventing  the  reloading  for 
the  second  shot ; 

(b)  when  there  is  any  failure  to  shoot,  caused  by  a  cartridge  too  thick  or 
too  long,  or  any  failure  whatsoever  caused  by  a  loaded  cartridge. 

RULE  9.— LOST  TARGET. 
Except  in  the  cases  otherwise  provided  in  these  Rules,  the  Referee  shall 
declare  the  target  "lost,"  respectively: 

(a)  when  a  contestant  fails  to  break  the  target; 

(b)  when  the  contestant  fails  to  fire  because  his  gun  was  unloaded  or  un- 
cocked, or  because  the  safety  was  faultily  adjusted,  whether  from  his  own  over- 
sight or  not ;  or  when  he  fails  to  shoot  from  any  other  cause  chargeable  to  his  own 
oversight  or  neglect. 

RULE  10.— BROKE. 

The  Referee  or  Judge  shall  declare  the  target  "broke"  or  "dead"  when  it 
is  broken  in  the  air  under  the  conditions  prescribed  by  these  Rules.  A  dusted  target 
is  not  a  broken  target.  Shot  marks  in  a  "pick  up"  shall  not  be  considered  as 
evidence  of  a  broken  target. 

RULE  II.— GUNS  AND  LOADS. 

Section  i.  No  contestant  shall  use  a  gun  whose  bore  is  larger  than  a  10- 
gauge. 

Section  2.  No  contestant  shall  use  any  load  of  shot  greater  than  one  and 
one-quarter  ounce,  any  standard  measure,  struck. 

Section  3.  Any  contestant  who  uses  reloaded  ammunition  must  abide  by  the 
results.     See  Rule  9  (b). 

RULE  12.— TRAPS,  SCREENS.  FIRING  POINTS. 

For  the  competition,  the  Management  shall  provide  five  traps,  or  three  traps 
Sergeant  system. 

Five  Traps — The  five  traps  shall  be  numbered  i,  2,  3,  4,  5,  from  left  to  right, 
consecutively.  In  competition,  the  traps  may  be  pulled  from  left  to  right,  or  from 
right  to  left,  as  may  be  determined  by  the  Management.  Each  trap  shall  have 
sufficient  power  and  adjustment  to  throw  the  targets  not  less  than  40  yards,  nor 
more  than  60  yards,  and  with  a  flight  not  less  than  6  feet  nor  more  than  12  feet 
high  at  a  point  10  yards  from  the  trap.  The  traps  shall  be  set  approximately 
level,  equi-distant  from  each  other,  three  or  five  yards  apart,  and  placed  in  a 
straight  line. 


356  AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 

Section  i.  Pits  or  screens  shall  be  used  to  protect  the  trappers.  The  screens 
shall  not  be  higher  than  is  necessary  for  such  protection. 

Section  2.  The  management  shall  see  that  the  traps  are  properly  set  and 
adjusted  at  the  beginning  of  the  competition,  and  so  kept  to  the  finish  thereof. 

Section  3.  The  firing  points  shall  be  in  a  straight  line,  parallel  with  the 
line  of  the  traps.  They  shall  be  16  yards  therefrom  in  single-target  shooting  other 
than  handicaps.     (See  Rule  20  for  double-target  shooting.) 

Firing  Points — The  firing  points  shall  be  numbered  i,  2,  3,  4,  5,  from  left  to 
right,  and  shall  be  three  or  five  yards  apart,  accordingly  as  the  traps  are  three  or 
five  yards  apart. 

RULE  13.— SQUADS. 

Section  i.  Contestants  shall  shoot  in  squads  of  five,  except  in  case  of 
Section  2  of  this  Rule.  In  lo-target  events  each  contestant  shall  shoot  at  two 
targets  at  each  firing  point,  consecutively.  In  15-target  events,  each  contestant 
shall  shoot  at  three  targets  at  each  firing  point,  consecutively.  In  20-target  events, 
each  contestant  shall  shoot  at  four  targets  at  each  firing  point,  consecutively.  In 
25-target  events,  each  contestant  shall  shoot  at  five  targets  at  each  firing  point, 
consecutively. 

Section  2.     In  case  the  Management  deems  it  best  for  the  contestants  to 
compete  in  squads  of  six,  it  shall  be  after  the  manner  called  "walk  around." 
RULE  14.— FLIGHTS,  KNOWN  TRAPS,  KNOWN  ANGLES. 

The  flight  of  targets  shall  be:  Nos.  i  and  4  shall  throw  right-quartering 
targets ;  Nos.  2  and  5,  left-quartering  targets  ;  No.  3,  a  straightaway ;  the  flights 
from  Nos.  i  and  5  shall  cross  that  of  No.  3  at  a  point  not  less  than  ten  yards  nor 
more  than  twenty  yards  from  No.  3 ;  the  flight  of  No.  2  shall  cross  that  of  No.  i 
at  a  point  not  less  than  five  yards  nor  more  than  ten  yards  from  No.  i ;  the  flight 
of  No.  4  shall  cross  that  of  No.  5  at  a  point  not  less  than  five  yards  nor  more  than 
ten  yards  from  No.  5. 

RULE  15.— KNOWN  TRAPS,  UNKNOWN  ANGLES. 

When  shooting  is  at  unknown  angles  from  known  traps,  the  contestant  shall 
know  which  trap  is  to  be  sprung,  but  shall  not  know  the  flight  of  the  target.  The 
Management  shall  require  the  trappers  to  change  the  flights  frequently. 
RULE  16.— UNKNOWN  TRAPS,  KNOWN  ANGLES. 
Section  i.  The  contestant  shall  stand  at  No.  3  Firing  Point.  The  traps 
(except  the  last)  shall  be  sprung  as  determined  by  an  indicator  or  other  device. 
The  contestant  in  an  inning  shall  shoot  at  five  targets,  one  from  each  of  the  five 
traps,  always  knowing  his  last  trap. 

Section  2.  In  case  of  a  broken  target,  the  trap  throwing  such  target  shall 
be  reloaded,  and  for  it.  and  the  remaining  unsprung  traps,  the  puller  shall  deter- 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS  357 

mine  by  the  device  a  new  combination,  the  previously  sprung  traps  being  omitted 
in  this  new  combination. 

RULE  17.— UNKNOWN  TRAPS,  UNKNOWN  ANGLES. 

When  unknown  traps    and    unknown    angles  are  used,  the  competition  is 
conducted  precisely  as  set  forth  in  Rule  16,  except  that  the  angles  are  unknown. 
RULE  18.— REVERSED  ORDER. 

The  contestants  shall  shoot  in  squads  of  five.  Contestant  No.  i  has  a  target 
from  No.  5  trap ;  contestant  No.  2  has  a  target  from  No.  4  trap ;  contestant  No.  3 
has  a  target  from  No.  3  trap;  contestant  No.  4  has  a  target  from  No.  2  trap; 
contestant  No.  5  has  a  target  from  No.  i  trap.  Then  continue  as  set  forth  in 
Rule  13,  Section  i. 

RULE  19.— EXPERT  RULE,  RAPID  FIRE. 

Contestants  shoot  in  squads  of  6,  "walk  around."  An  indicator  or  other 
device  shall  be  used  to  determine  the  order  in  which  the  traps  shall  be  sprung.  No. 
I  shoots  at  a  target  to  be  thrown  from  any  one  of  the  five  traps ;  thereafter,  as 
determined  by  the  device,  each  contestant,  in  turn,  shoots  at  a  target  from  any  one 
of  the  traps  which  remain  filled;  thus,  for  No.  i,  there  are  five  filled;  for  No.  2, 
there  are  four  filled,  and  so  on  to  No.  5,  who  has  one  filled,  and  that  one  is  known. 
The  sixth  man  is  the  pivot  man.  In  case  of  a  broken  target  or  balk,  the. puller  will 
observe  the  same  procedure  as  in  Rule  16,  Section  2,  except  that  the  angles  are 
unknown. 

RULE  20.— SHOOTING  AT  DOUBLE  TARGETS. 

Section  i.  In  shooting  at  double  targets  it  may  be  one  man  up,  at  14  yards, 
or  squads  at  16  yards.  Three  traps  shall  be  used.  The  Management  will  use  Nos. 
I,  2,  3,  or  Nos.  2,  3,  4,  or  Nos.  3,  4,  5,  of  a  set  of  five  traps.  The  first  trap  shall 
throw  a  left-quarterer,  the  second  trap  a  straightaway,  the  third  trap  a  right 
quarterer. 

Section  2.  The  pairs  shall  be  sprung  in  the  following  order :  first  pair  from 
Nos.  I  and  2 ;  second  pair  from  Nos.  2  and  3 ;  third  pair  from  Nos.  i  and  3 ; 
fourth  pair  from  Nos.  i  and  2;  fifth  pair  from  Nos.  2  and  3,  and  so  on,  in  this 
order  to  the  finish  of  the  event.  For  each  pair,  the  traps  must  be  pulled  simul- 
taneously. 

RULE  21.— SERGEANT  SYSTEM. 

Section  i.  In  the  Sergeant  System,  3  traps  placed  four  feet  apart  in  a 
straight  line  shall  be  used. 

Section  2.  The  firing  points  shall  be  in  the  segment  of  a  circle  whose  radii 
are  16  yards. 

Section  3.  The  firing  points  shall  be  three  or  five  yards  apart,  between  Nos. 
I  to  5.  consecutively. 


358  AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 

Section  4.    The  flights  shall  be  unknown  angles. 
Sf.ction  5.     The  targets  shall  be  unknown  traps. 

RULE  22.— CLASS  SHOOTING. 
Class  shooting  signifies  that  the  contestants  who  tie  for  first,  second,  third, 
etc.,  have  won  the  money  allotted  to  their  respective  classes.     They  shall  shoot 
off  or  divide  the  tie  as  the  Management  shall  elect. 

RULE  23.— HIGH  GUNS,  HIGH  SCORES. 
High  guns  or  high  scores  signify  that  the  contestants  making  the  high  scores 
take  in  the  order  of  superiority  all  the  cash  or  prizes.     In  case  of  ties,  the  high 
gims  are  determined  by  shooting  off,  miss  and  out.     The  gun  which  stays  the 
longest,  is  first ;  the  one  which  stays  next  longest,  is  second,  and  so  on. 

RULE  24.— TIES. 
The  ties  shall  be  shot  off  at  the  original  distance  and  at  one-fifth  of  the  num- 
ber of  targets  in  the  event  to  which  the  tie  refers. 

NOTE. 
The  conditions  governing  the  use  of  a  magazine  trap  are  precisely  the  same 
as  those  governing  in  the  Sergeant  system,  in  Sections  2,  3  and  4. 


INTERSTATE  ASSOCIATION  TRAP  SHOOTING  RULiiS. 

LIVE    BIRDS. 

RULE  I.— THE  MANAGEMENT. 

Section  i.  The  Management  of  the  Interstate  Association  reserves  the 
authority  to  reject  any  entry  without  giving  any  reason  therefor,  and  to  dis- 
qualify, in  whole  or  in  part,  any  contestant  who  acts  ungentlemanly,  or  disorderiy, 
or  who  handles  his  gun  dangerously. 

Section  2.    The  Management  or  its  authorized  representative  shall  appoint 
a  Referee  or  Referees,  and  a  Scorer  or  Scorers,  and  a  Trap  Puller  or  Trap  Pullers, 
and  such  other  assistants  as  it  may  deem  to  be  necessary. 
RULE  2.— THE  REFEREE. 

Besides  attending  to  the  special  duties  as  set  forth  hereinafter,  the  Referee 
shall  adjudicate  the  competition.  He  shall  distinctly  announce  the  result  of  each 
contestant's  shot  or  shots  by  calling  out  "dead"  when  the  bird  is  gathered  according 
to  rule,  and  "lost"  when  the  bird  escapes  beyond  the  boundary,  except  as  pro- 
vided in  Section  i  (d)  of  Rule  9,  and  in  Section  8  of  Rule  12.  He  shall  decide 
all  other  issues  which  may  arise  in  relation  to  the  direct  competition.  His  decision 
in  all  cases  shall  be  final. 

RULE  3.— THE  SCORER. 

The  Scorer  shall  keep  an  accurate  record  of  the  shot  or  shots  of  each  con- 


AMERICAN    SMALL    ARMS  359 

testant.  Accordingly  as  the  Referee  calls  "dead"  or  "lost,"  the  Scorer  shall 
promptly  respond  with  the  call  "dead"  or  "lost."  In  keeping  a  contestant's  score, 
the  Scorer  shall  use  the  figure  I  to  denote  that  one  barrel  was  used  to  effect  the 
kill ;  the  figure  2  to  denote  that  two  barrels  were  used  to  effect  a  kill,  and  a  O  to 
denote  that  the  bird  was  lost.  The  Scorer's  record  of  the  competition,  so  kept, 
shall  be  the  official  score,  and  it  shall  govern  all  awards  and  records  of  such  com- 
petition. At  the  close  of  each  contestant's  score,  the  Scorer  shall  distinctly 
announce  the  total  of  it. 

RULE  4-— PULLER. 

Section  i.  The  Puller  shall  have  charge  of  springing  the  traps.  He  shall 
spring  a  trap  instantly  in  response  to  the  contestant's  call  of  "Pull." 

Section  2.  The  Puller  shall  have  an  unobstructed  view  of  the  contestant  at 
the  firing  points. 

Section  3.  When  a  mechanical  device  is  used  to  determine  which  trap  shall 
be  sprung,  the  Puller  shall  be  so  placed  and  shall  so  act  that  any  contestant  who 
is  at  the  firing  point  cannot  know  in  advance  which  trap  is  to  be  sprung  for  him. 

Section  4.  The  Management  may  appoint  an  assistant  Puller  to  take  charge 
of  the  mechanical  device  and  to  require  that  the  traps  be  sprung  accordingly  as 
determined  by  it. 

Section  5.  If  the  Puller  springs  the  traps  so  irregularly  or  so  negligently 
as  to  impair  the  equity  of  the  competition,  the  Management  may  forthwith  remove 

RULE  5.— CONTESTANT. 

Section  i.  A  contestant  is  prohibited  from  loading  his  gun  at  any  time 
other  than  when  he  is  at  the  firing  point,  and  he  shall  open  it  and  remove  there- 
from all  cartridges  or  empty  shells  before  turning  from  or  leaving  the  firing  point. 
Should  any  contestant  wilfully  violate  this  Section  of  this  Rule,  or  violate  it 
after  having  been  warned,  the  Referee  or  the  Management  may  fine  him  from 
$1.00  to  $5.00,  or  may  disqualify  him. 

Section  2.  When  at  the  firing  point,  ready  for  competition,  the  contestant 
shall,  to  the  Puller,  distinctly  call  out,  "Are  You  Ready?"  When  the  Puller 
responds  "Ready,"  he  thereby  signifies  that  he  is  ready  to  spring  the  trap  promptly 
to  the  contestants's  demand.  When  ready  for  the  bird,  the  contestant  shall  dis- 
tinctly give  the  command  "Pull,"  and  thereafter  he  is  unqualifiedly  in  the  com- 
petition. 

Section  3.     A  contestant  may  hold  his  gun  in  any  position. 

Section  4.  A  contestant  must  be  at  the  firing  point  within  two  minutes  after 
having  been  duly  notified  to  compete;  failing  therein,  he  may  be  fined  $1.00  by  the 
Referee  or  the  Management,  or  the  Management  may  disqualify  him.    However, 


360  AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 

the  Management,  if  good  cause  is  shown  for  it,  may  grant  a  reasonable  delay  to  a 
contestant,  as,  for  instance,  when  his  gun  breaks  down,  etc. 

Shctiox  5.  After  a  contestant  fires  his  first  barrel,  he  must  fire  his  second 
barrel  immediately  or  leave  the  firing  point. 

Section  6.  If  a  contestant  has  a  misfire  or  apparent  misfire,  he  shall  forth- 
with hand  his  gun  unopened  to  the  Referee  for  inspection.  It  shall  thereupon  be 
the  Referee's  duty  to  try  both  Triggers  if  the  gun  has  double  triggers,  or  the  trigger 
if  the  gun  has  only  one  trigger,  before  opening  the  gun  or  cocking  it.  Should  the 
cartridge  which  has  misfired  or  apparently  misfired  be  exploded  when  thus  tried, 
the  Referee  shall  declare  the  bird  "lost."  If  in  the  case  of  a  misfire  or  apparent 
misfire  the  contestant  opens  his  gun  before  handing  it  to  the  Referee  the  bird 
shall  be  declared  "lost." 

Section  7.  A  contestant  may  stand  back  of  the  mark  assigned  to  him  at  the 
firing  point  if  he  chooses  to  do  so,  but  the  mark  assigned  to  him  shall  be  the  offi- 
cial mark. 

Section  8.  When  firing,  the  contestant's  feet  shall  be  behind  the  firing  mark 
assigned  to  him. 

Section  9.     Shooting  on  the  grounds  in  any  place  other  than  at  the  firing 

point  is  strictly  prohibited. 

RULE  6.— CHALLENGE. 

Any  contestant  may  challenge  the  load  of  any  other  contestant  under  Section 
2  of  Rule  14.  A  challenge  must  be  in  writing  and  signed  by  the  challenger, 
and  must  have  $5.00  forfeit  posted  therewith  in  the  hands  of  the  Management. 
On  receipt  of  such  challenge,  the  Management  will  obtain  a  cartridge  or  cartridges 
from  the  challengee  when  he  is  at  the  firing  point,  and  if,  after  public  examination 
of  the  cartridge  or  cartridges  so  obtained,  the  Management  finds  that  the  chal- 
lengee violated  Section  2  of  Rule  14,  he  may  be  disqualified  or  not,  accordingly  as 
the  Management  deems  the  offense  wilful  or  otherwise.  In  the  case  that  the 
challengee  is  wholly  innocent,  the  forfeit  aforementioned  shall  be  paid  to  him ; 
otherwise  it  shall  be  returned  to  the  challenger. 

RULE  7.— DEAD  BIRD. 

The  Referee  shall  declare  the  bird  "dead,"  when  it  is  gathered  within  bounds 
under  the  conditions  enjoined  by  these  rules.     (See  Rule  No.  9,  Section  i,  (b).) 
RULE  8.— LOST  lURD. 

The  Referee  shall  declare  the  bird  "lost"  after  the  call  of  "Pull,"  respectively: 

(a)  when  the  bird  is  once  outside  of  the  boundary,  except  as  provided  in 
Section  i   (d)  of  Rule  9,  and  Section  8  of  Rule  12; 

(b)  when  the  bird  dwells,  even  for  the  briefest  moment,  on  the  top  of  the 
boundary  enclosure,  whether  it  perches  thereon  or  not ; 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS  361 

(c)  when  the  contestant  fails  to  fire  because  his  gun  was  unloaded  or  un- 
cocked, or  because  the  safety  was  faultily  adjusted,  or  because  of  any  other  reason 
chargeable  to  his  own  oversight  or  neglect ; 

(d)  when  the  contestant,  after  leaving  the  firing  point,  returns  and  shoots 
again  at  the  same  bird,  or  when,  after  firing  one  shot,  he  opens  and  closes  his 
gun,  and  shoots  again  at  the  same  bird. 

RULE  9.— NO  BIRD. 

When  the  Referee  declares  "no  bird,"  it  gives  the  contestant  another  inning, 
with  the  use  of  both  barrels. 

Section  i.  The  Referee  shall  declare  "no  bird"  and  shall  allow  another 
bird,  respectively: 

(a)  when,  in  his  opinion,  the  bird,  being  on  the  ground  and  not  having 
been  shot  at,  cannot  fly  properly,  whether  it  has  been  on  the  wing  or  not; 

(b)  v/hen  a  bird  is  on  the  ground  when  a  contestant  fires  his  first  barrel, 
if  the  bird  is  afterward  gathered  within  bounds.  If  a  bird  is  on  the  wing  when  the 
first  barrel  is  fired,  and  is  killed  on  the  ground  with  the  second  barrel,  it  is  a  dead 
bird ; 

(c)  when  the  bird  walks  in  one  yard  from  the  traps,  or  when,  after  having 
been  on  the  wing  and  still  being  unshot  at,  it  alights  between  the  traps  and  the 
dead  line,  and  thereafter  walks  toward  the  contestant  at  all ; 

(d)  when  the  bird,  after  being  shot  at,  escapes  through  any  opening  in  the 
boundary,  the  same  being  permanent  or  not,  if,  in  the  opinion  of  the  Referee,  it 
could  not  have  escaped  otherwise ; 

(e)  when  the  bird  is  shot  at  also  by  someone  other  than  the  contestant,  if, 
in  the  opinion  of  the  Referee,  the  bird  could  have  been  gathered  had  there  been 
no  such  interference,  or  if  he  considers  that  such  interference  constitutes  a  balk; 

(f)  when  a  contestant,  through  his  own  fault,  shoots  and  kills  from  a  mark 
which  is  nearer  than  the  one  assigned  to  him.    If  he  misses,  the  bird  is  lost ; 

(g)  when  both  barrels  of  the  contestant's  gun  are  discharged  simultaneously; 
(h)  when  a  contestant's  gun  or  cartridge  misfires  from  an  imperfection  of 

either  (Rule  8,  c.)  ; 

(i)   when  the  contestant,  to  avoid  endangering  life  or  property,  does  not  shoot ; 

(j)  when  seven  balls  have  been  thrown  at  a  bird,  whether  it  has  been  on 
the  wing  or  not ; 

(k)  when  the  contestant  is  balked.  Whether  the  interference  constitutes 
a  balk  or  not,  is  for  the  Referee  alone  to  decide.  In  case  a  claim  of  balk  is  allowed 
to  a  contestant,  it  gives  him  a  right  to  a  new  inning  and  the  use  of  both  barrels ; 

(1)  when  the  trap  is  not  sprung  with  reasonable  promptness  to  the  command 


362  AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 

"Pull,"  or  when  the  bird,  not  having  been  on  the  wing,  refuses  to  fly  after  the 
tiap  has  been  sprung,  if  in  either  instance  the  contestant  declares  "no  bird" ; 

(m)  when  the  bird  is  caught  in  the  trap  and  there  held  long  enough  for  the 
contestant  to  cover  such  trap  before  the  bird  can  take  wing; 

(n)  when  the  bird  is  hit  by  a  missile; 

(o)  when  a  contestant  has  a  misfire  with  the  first  barrel,  if  he  does  not  fire  the 
second  (except  as  provided  in  Rule  14,  Section  4)  ; 

(p)  when,  after  firing  his  first  barrel,  he  ha>  a  misfire  with  his  second  barrel 
if  he  does  not  kill  the  bird  with  the  first  barrel  (except  as  provided  in  Rule  14,. 
Section  4) ; 

(q)  When  he  has  a  misfire  with  both  barrels  (except  as  provided  in  Rule  14, 
Section  4)  ; 

(r)  when,  the  overground  system  being  used,  a  trap  or  traps  are  unfilled 
before  the  contestant  shoots. 

Section  2.  In  case  the  contestant  uses  a  magazine  gun,  it  is  a  "no  bird," 
and  the  Referee  shall  allow  another  bird,  respectively: 

(a)  when  the  head  of  the  empty  shell  is  pulled  off  in  the  attempt  to  eject 
it,  thereby  obstructing  the  chamber  of  the  gun  and  preventing  the  reloading  of  it 
lor  the  second  shot; 

(b)  when,  after  the  first  shot  is  fired  and  the  gun  is  opened  properly,  the 
extractor  has  failed  to  extract  the  empty  shell. 

Section  3.  In  case  the  contestant  uses  a  magazine  gun,  it  is  not  a  "no  bird," 
and  the  Referee  shall  not  allow  another  bird,  respectively : 

(a)  when,  after  the  first  shot,  the  empty  shell,  although  it  be  extracted  from 
the  chamber,  is  not  ejected  from  the  gun,  thereby  preventing  the  reloading  of  if 
for  the  second  shot ; 

(b)  when  there  is  any  failure  to  shoot  caused  by  a  cartridge  which  is  too 

thick  or  too  long,  or  by  any  other  failure  of  any  kind  whatsoever,  caused  by  a 

reloaded  shell. 

RULE  ID.— NO  BIRD,  IF  REFUSED. 

If  a  contestant  refuses  to  shoot  under  any  of  the  following  circumstances, 

the  Referee  shall   declare  "no  bird,"   and   shall   allow   another  bird ;   but   if  the 

contestant  shoots,  the  result  shall  be  scored,  respectively : 

(a)  when  the  contestant  has  not  given  the  order  to  "Pull"  and  the  trap  is 
pulled  nevertheless ; 

(b)  when,  in  single  bird  shooting,  two  or  more  birds  are  liberated  at  the 
same  time.  If  a  contestant  shoots  at  both  birds,  he  shall  be  required  to  pay  for 
both,  and  shall  also  be  fined  $1.00  by  the  Management.  The  first  bird  shot  at  is 
the  only  one  which  can  be  scored  dead  or  lost  under  these  circumstances. 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS  363 

RULE  II.— REFUSAL  TO  FLY. 

Section  i.  When,  on  the  trap  being-  properly  pulled,  the  bird  refuses  to 
ily,  the  Referee  shall  forthwith  order  to  be  exercised  such  means  as  are  provided 
by  the  Management  to  make  such  bird  fly.  A  bird,  hit  by  a  ball  or  pushed  by  a 
flushed  rope,  shall  be  governed  by  Rule  9,  Section  i  (n).  A  contestant  cannot 
call  a  "no  bird"  after  the  bird  has  been  on  the  wing,  but  if  he  desires  to  make  such 
bird  a  "no  bird,"  he  may  shoot  it  on  the  ground,  in  which  case  it  will  be  governed 
by  Section  i    (b)   of  Rule  9. 

Section  2.  In  case  of  possible  doubt  as  to  whether  a  bird  has  been  "on  the 
wing"  or  not  when  it  has  flipped  up,  the  Referee  shall  declare  it  "on  the  wing" 
when,  in  his  opinion,  it  was  so,  and  shall  promptly  so  inform  the  contestant  by 
calling  out  "on  the  wing." 

RULE  12.— GATHERING. 

Section  i.  To  be  scored  dead,  the  bird  must  be  gathered  within  two  minutes 
after  it  falls  to  the  ground  or  is  legally  killed  on  the  ground,  excepting  as  provided 
in  Section  4  of  this  Rule.  The  Management  may  appoint,  or  may  permit  the 
contestant  to  appoint,  someone  to  gather  the  bird,  or  a  dog  may  be  used  for  that 
purpose.  The  moment  that  the  bird  touches  the  ground,  the  Referee  shall  order 
it  gathered. 

Section  2.  Only  one  man  or  one  dog  may  be  used  at  a  time  to  gather  any  one 
bird. 

Section  3.  When  the  gatherer  does  not  know  the  whereabouts  of  the  bird, 
the  Referee  or  someone  else  appointed  by  him  may  give  the  gatherer  such  informa- 
tion as  may  be  necessary  to  aid  him  in  respect  to  it,  but  no  one  other  than  the 
Referee  shall  be  allowed  to  accompany  the  gatherer. 

Section  4.  When  a  dog  is  used  to  gather  a  bird  and  he  cannot  find  it,  in 
such  case  the  time  limit  shall  not  apply.  Such  dog  shall  be  called  in,  and,  after  he 
is  in  control,  the  Referee  shall  appoint  someone  to  gather  the  bird,  whereupon  the 
time  limit  shall  apply. 

Section  5.  In  case  of  a  dog  pointing  when  gathering,  the  time  lost  by  such 
act  shall  not  count  as  a  part  of  the  time  limit.  The  Referee  may  send  someone 
to  urge  the  dog  ofif  the  point,  or  he  may  direct  that  the  dog  be  called  in,  after 
which  the  Referee  will  proceed  under  Section  4  of  this  Rule. 

Section  6.  The  bird,  when  once  within  the  grasp  of  the  gatherer's  hand, 
if  the  gatherer  be  a  person,  or  within  the  grasp  of  the  gatherer's  mouth,  if  the 
gatherer  be  a  dog,  shall  be  scored  as  dead. 

Section  7.  The  gatherer,  whether  man  or  dog,  should  go  directly  to  the 
bird  without  any  prejudice  whatever  to  any  contestant's  interests.     It  devolves 


364 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 


upon  each  contestant  to  so  kill  his  birds  that  they  can  be  gathered  without  any 
extraordinary  strategy  or  effort. 

Section  8.  Should  the  dog  break  away  or  be  liberated  to  gather  the  bird 
before  it  has  touched  the  ground  and,  while  chasing  the  bird,  it  passes  beyond 
the  boundary,  the  Referee  may  allow  the  contestant  another  bird,  provided  that  the 
Referee  is  of  the  opinion  that  the  bird  would  have  been  gathered  within  the  time 
limit  if  the  dog  had  not  interfered. 

Section  9.  The  Puller  shall  not  spring  the  trap  until  the  trapper  and 
RULE  13.— MUTILATION. 

The  mutilation  of  birds  is  prohibited.  Any  contestant  who  is  convicted  of 
violating  this  rule,  or  of  conniving  at  its  violation,  shall  forfeit  all  rights  in  the 

contest. 

RULE  14.— GUNS  AND  LOADS. 

Section  i.  In  the  Grand  American  Handicap  Tournament  no  contestant 
shall  use  a  gun  whose  bore  is  larger  than  a  12-gauge,  nor  whose  weight  is  over 
8  pounds;  nor  use  in  any  other  competition  a  gun  whose  bore  is  larger  than  a 
lo-gauge. 

Section  2. — No  contestant  shall  use  any  load  of  shot,  exceeding  one  and 
one-quarter  ounce,  any  standard  measure,  struck. 

Section  3.  Any  contestant  who  uses  reloaded  ammunition  must  abide  by 
the  results. 

Section  4.     Any  contestant  who  knowingly  uses  a  gun  or  cartridge  which 
has  once  misfired  in  the  competition  must  abide  by  the  results. 
RULE  15.— SHOOTING  OUT  OF  TURN. 

Whenever  the  Referee  deems  it  necessary  to  do  so,  for  the  purpose  of  saving 
t'me,  etc.,  he  may  require  any  contestant  to  compete,  whether  it  is  such  contestant's 
turn  to  compete  or  not.  Shooting  out  of  turn  does  not  affect  the  competitive 
standing  of  any  contestant. 

RULE  16.— TRAPS. 

Section  i.  In  all  competition  there  shall  be  used  five  ground  traps,  placed 
five  yards  apart,  in  the  segment  of  a  circle  whose  radii  are  thirty  yards,  the  center 
of  which  circle  is  the  center  of  the  thirty-yard  firing  point.  A  straight  line 
drawn  through  this  center,  and  the  center  of  the  boundary,  should  pass 
through  the  center  of  all  the  other  firing  points,  whether  more  or  less  than 
thirty  yards.  The  traps  are  designated  by  numbers  from  left  to  right, 
namely,  No.  i,  No.  2,  No.  3,  No,  4,  No.  5.  The  Management  shall  see  that 
the  traps  are  in  working  order  and  so  kept  during  the  competition. 

Section  2.  When  the  overground  system  of  trapping  is  used,  the  Ref- 
eree will  require  that  each  of  the  five  traps  contains  a  bird  when  the  contest- 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS  366 

ant  is  at  the  firing  point.     When  the  underground  system   is  used,  the  trap- 
pers are  required  to  exercise  their  best  endeavor  to  keep  the  traps  filled. 

RULE  17.— BOUNDARY. 

Section  i.  The  boundary  shall  be  a  dead  line,  and  a  segment  of  a  circle 
whose  radii  are  fifty  yards,  and  whose  center  is  No.  3  trap.  The  dead  line  is  the 
chord  of  the  circle,  and  its  center  is  bisected  by  a  line  drawn  from  the  center  of 
No.  3  trap  through  the  center  of  the  firing  points.  The  center  of  the  dead  line  is 
thirty-three  yards  from  the  center  of  No.  3  trap.  The  Management  reserves  the 
right  to  change  the  boundary  when  occasion  requires. 

Section  2.  When  the  boundary  is  marked  by  stakes,  or  anything  else  which 
does  not  show  the  continuous  arc  of  the  circle,  the  boundary  shall  be  straight 
lines  from  stake  to  stake,  etc.,  consecutively.  In  case  such  boundary  is  used,  a 
bird,  lying  on  the  line,  or  touching  it  when  gathered,  is  a  dead  bird. 

RULE  18.— DIVISION  OF  MONEYS. 

Unless  otherwise  provided,  the  moneys  of  the  competition  shall  in  the  division 
be  governed  by  class  shooting. 

RULE  19.— TIES. 

Should  there  be  any  ties  in  a  contest,  they  will  be  shot  off  as  soon  as  possible 
after  the  contest  is  finished,  under  the  same  conditions  of  handicaps,  etc.,  excepting 
the  number  of  birds,  which  will  be  as  follows :  In  lo-bird  events  or  less,  3  birds ; 
II  to  25  birds,  inclusive,  5  birds ;  26  to  50  birds,  inclusive,  10  birds ;  51  to  100  birds, 
inclusive,  25  birds.  Any  contestant  in  any  tie  may  be  paid  on  demand  his  pro  rata 
share  of  the  money,  unless  the  conditions  prescribe  that  all  ties  shall  be  shot  off. 

RULE  20.— UNFINISHED  COMPETITION. 
In  case  that  darkness  or  bad  weather  stops  the  competition,  such  competition 
shall  be  postponed  to  a  date  not  later  than  two  weeks  thereafter.  Should  the 
contestants  fail  to  agree  on  a  time  and  place,  the  Management  will  name  the  time 
and  place  to  hold  such  unfinished  competition.  Any  contestant  who  fails  to  appear 
in  any  contest  at  the  time  and  place  set  for  it,  loses  by  default  and  forfeits  all  his 
rights  therein. 

RULE  21. PROTESTS. 

All  protests  or  claims  of  any  nature  whatsoever,  concerning  the  competition  of 
a  competitor,  must  be  made  before  the  next  competitor  shoots.  The  Referee's 
decision  is  final. 

RULE  22.— CHANGES  AND  AMENDMENTS. 
The  management  reserves  the  right  to  make  any  alterations  and  amendments 
to  these  rules  whenever  it  deems  it  for  the  best  interests  of  all  concerned  to  do  so. 


366  A  M  E  R  I  C  A  N    S  M  A  L  L   A  R  xM  S 

TRAP  RULES  OF  THE  AMERICAN   SHOOTING  ASSOCIATION. 

INANIMATE   TARGET   SHOOTING. 

RULE  I.— JUDGES  AND  REFEREE. 

Two  Judges  and  a  Referee,  or  a  Referee  alone,  shall  be  selected  by  the  Man- 
agement, or  the  contestants,  whose  decision  shall  be  final. 

RULE  2.— DUTIES  OF  THE  REFEREE. 

The  Referee  shall  see  that  the  traps  are  properly  set  at  the  beginning  of  the 
match,  and  kept  in  order  to  the  finish.  He  shall  endeavor  to  make  the  targets  con- 
form to  the  flight  and  direction  indicated  in  Rule  No.  7.  He  shall  test  any  trap 
upon  application  of  the  shooter  at  any  time  by  throwing  a  trial  target  therefrom. 
He  may  at  any  time,  and  must  when  so  requested  by  a  contestant,  select  one  or 
more  cartridges  from  those  of  a  shooter  at  the  score,  and  publicly  test  the  same 
for  proper  loading.  If  the  cartridge,  or  cartridges,  are  found  to  be  improperly 
loaded.  The  shooter  shall  suffer  the  penalty  as  provided  for  in  Rule  No.  11. 
RULE  3— SCORER. 

A  Scorer  shall  be  appointed  by  the  Management,  whose  score  shall  be  the 
official  one.     All  scoring  shall  be  done  with  ink,  or  indelible  pencil.     The  scoring 
of  a  lost  target  shall  be  indicated  by  a  "O,"  and  a  broken  target  by  the  figure  "I." 
RULE  4.— PULLER. 

A  Puller,  or  Pullers,  shall  be  appointed  by  the  Management,  whose  duty  it 
shall  be  to  see  that  the  trap  or  traps  shall  be  instantly  sprung  when  the  shooter 
calls  "Pull,"  and  shall  be  placed  in  such  a  position  that  the  shooter  will  have  no 
means  of  knowing  by  his  actions  which  trap  is  to  be  pulled.  In  single  target 
shooting  he  shall  pull  the  traps  as  decided  by  a  trap-pulling  indicator,  or  other 
means  that  may  have  been  provided  by  the  Management,  so  that  the  shooter  will 
have  no  means  of  knowing  from  which  trap  the  target  is  to  be  thrown. 
RULE  5.— PULLING  THE  TRAPS. 

Section  i.  Traps  may  be  pulled  in  regular  order  from  i  to  3.  or  i  to  5,  or 
vice  versa,  if  so  decided  by  the  Management. 

Section  2.  If  the  shooting  is  from  traps  to  be  pulled  in  regular  order,  the 
shooter  may  refuse  the  target  from  the  trap  not  so  pulled ;  but  if  he  shoots,  the 
result  must  be  scored  . 

Section  3.  If  the  trap  is  sprung  before,  or  at  any  noticeable  interval  after 
the  shooter  calls  "Pull,"  he  can  accept  or  refuse  the  target;  but  if  he  shoots,  the 
result  must  be  scored. 

Section  4.     If  the  Puller,  or  Pullers,  do  not  pull  in  accordance  to  the  indi- 
cator, or  other  means  provided,  they  shall  be  removed  and  others  substituted. 
RULE  6.— ARRANGEMENT  OF  TRAPS. 

All  matches  shall  be  shot  from  three  or  five  traps,  set  level,  three  or  five  yards 


AMERICAN    SMALL    ARMS  367 

apart,  in  the  segment  of  a  circle,  or  in  a  straight  Hne.  When  in  the  segment  of  a 
circle,  the  radius  of  the  circle  shall  be  eighteen  yards.  In  all  cases  the  shooter's 
position  shall  not  be  less  from  each  trap  than  the  rises  provided  for  in  Rule  7. 
The  traps  shall  be  numbered  from  i,  on  the  left,  to  No.  3  or  No.  5  on  the  right, 
consecutively,  according  to  the  number  used. 

RULE  7-— ADJUSTING  TRAPS. 

Section  i.  All  traps  must  be  adjusted  to  throw  the  targets  a  distance  not 
less  than  40  yards,  nor  more  than  65  yards. 

Section  2.  The  elevation  of  the  target  in  its  flight  at  a  distance  of  10  yards 
from  the  trap  shall  not  be  more  than  12  feet,  nor  less  than  6  feet. 

Traps  Nos.  i  and  5  shall  be  set  to  throw  the  targets  so  that  the  line  of  flight 
shall  cross  that  of  the  straightaway  target  at  a  point  not  less  than  10  yards  nor 
more  than  20  yards  from  trap  No.  3. 

Section  3.  After  the  traps  are  set  for  these  angles,  if  the  target  for  any 
reason  shall  take  a  different  course  it  shall  be  considered  a  fair  target,  provided 
that  the  Referee  decides  it  offered  a  fair  shot  to  the  contestant. 

RULE  8.— SCREENS. 

Either  pits  or  screens,  or  both,  may  be  used,  but  the  screens  must  not  be  higher 
than  is  actually  necessary  to  fully  protect  the  trapper. 
RULE  9.— THE  RISE. 

In  single  target  shooting  the  rise  shall  be:  18  yards  for  lo-gauge  guns;  16 
yards  for  12-gauge  guns;  14  yards  for  14  and  i6-gauge  guns;  13  yards  for  20 
gauge  guns. 

In  double  target  shooting  the  rise  shall  be:  16  yards  for  lo-gauge  guns; 
14  yards  for  12  gauge  guns;  12  yards  for  14  and  i6-gauge  guns;  ii  yards  for 
20-gauge  guns. 

RULE  10.— CALIBER  AND  WEIGHT  OF  GUNS. 

No  gun  of  larger  caliber  than  lo-gauge  shall  be  used,  and  the  weight  of  all 
guns  shall  be  limited  as  follows:  lo-gauge,  9  pounds  4  ounces;  12-gauge,  8  pounds 
4  ounces ;  14  and  i6-gauge,  7  pounds  12  ounces ;  20-gaugc.  7  pounds  8  ounces, 
RULE  II.— LOADS. 

Charge  of  powder  unlimited.  Charge  of  shot  not  to  exceed  one  and  one- 
quarter  ounces  American  Association,  or  Dixon's  measure,  struck.  Any  shooter 
using  a  larger  quantity  of  shot  shall  forfeit  his  entrance  money  and  rights  in  the 
match. 

If,  in  the  opinion  of  the  Management,  with  the  unanimous  consent  of  the 
contestants,  a  shooter  has  not  wilfully  violated  this  rule,  his  entrance  money  shall 
be  returned  to  him. 


368  AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 

RULE  12.— LOADING  GUNS. 
In  .in^le  target  shooting,  only  one  barrel  shall  be  loaded  at  a  time,  and  the 
cartridge  shall  not  be  placed  in  the  barrel  until  after  the  shooter  has  taken  his 
position  at  the  score. 

In  double  target  shrx)ting,  both  barrels  shall  be  loaded  at  the  score.     Cart- 
ridges must  be  removed  from  the  gun  before  leaving  the  score. 
PULE  13.— POSITION  OF  GUN. 
Any  the  shooter  may  adopt. 

RULE  14.-SINGLE  TARGET  SHOOTING. 
When  the  traps  are  set  in  the  segment  of  a  circle,  each  contestant  shall  shoot 
at  three  or  more  targets  before  leaving  the  score.     If  two  targets  are  sprung  at 
the  same  time  and  the  contestant  does  not  shoot,  it  shall  be  declared  "no  targets" ; 
but  if  he  shoots  the  result  must  be  scored. 

RULE  15.-DOUBLE  TARGET  SHOOTING. 
Both  traps  must  be  pulled  simultaneously,  and  each  contestant  shall  shoot 
at  three  or  five  pairs,  consecutively,  thrown  as  follows ;    If  three  traps  are  used, 
the  first  pair  shall  be  thrown  from  i  and  2,  the  second  pair  from  2  and  3,  the  third 
pair  from  i  and  3,  the  fourth  pair  from  i  and  2,  and  the  fifth  pair  from  2  and  3. 

If  five  traps  are  used,  the  first  pair  shall  be  thrown  from  2  and  3,  the  second 
pair  from  3  and  4,  the  third  pair  from  2  and  4,  the  fourth  pair  from  2  and  3,  and 
the  fifth  pair  from  3  and  4. 

If  one  target  is  thrown,  it  shall  be  declared  "no  targets." 
If  a  target  be  lost,  it  shall  be  declared  "no  targets."    If  one  be  a  fair  and  the 
other  an  imperfect  target,  it  shall  be  declared  "no  targets."     But  if  the  shooter 
accepts  an  imperfect  target,  or  targets,  the  result  must  be  scored. 

If  both  targets  are  broken  by  one  barrel,  it  shall  be  declared  "no  targets." 
If  the  shooter  fires  both  barrels  at  one  target  intentionally,  it  shall  be  scored  "lost 
targets."  But  if  the  second  barrel  be  discharged  accidentally,  it  shall  be  "no 
targets." 

RULE  16.— UNKNOWN  ANGLES. 
In  unknown  angles  each  trap  must  be  so  changed  as  to  throw  the  target  in 
a  different  direction  from  the  one  last  thrown  by  it.    The  extreme  angles  at  which 
the  targets  are  thrown,  shall  not  be  greater  than  those  provided  for  by  Rule  7. 

If  an  unfair  target  is  thrown,  it  shall  be  declared  "no  target;"  but  if  accepted 
by  the  contestant  the  result  must  be  scored. 

RULE  17.— RAPID  FIRE  SYSTEM. 
When  all  the  traps  are    set    in    a    straight  line  and  the  rapitl  firing  system 
is  to  be  used,  there  shall  be  a  screen  before  each  trap  on  which  shall  appear  the 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 


369 


score 


number  of  the  trap,  from  No.  i  on  the  left,  and  each  shooter  shall  stand  at 
opposite  the  trap  from  which  tlie  target  is  to  be  thrown  for  him  to  shoot  at. 

After  he  has  shot  at  his  first  target  he  shall  pass  to  the  next  score  to  the  right, 
and  so  continue  until  he  reaches  the  end  of  the  score,  when  he  shall  return  to  the 
score  opposite  No.  i,  and  continue  as  before  until  his  score  is  finished.  If  shooters 
are  annoyed,  or  there  is  delay  in  shooting  by  the  smoke  of  previous  shots,  the  traps 
may  be  pulled  in  reverse  order,  commencing  with  the  trap  on  the  right. 
RULE  i8.— CLASS  SHOOTING. 

All  contestants  who  are  tied  on  highest  score  shall  divide  first  money,  and 
those  tied  on  next  highest  score  divide  second  money,  etc.     Should  a  majority 
in  any  tie  decide  to  shoot  it  out,  high  gun  to  take  purse,  any  individual  in  said 
tie  shall  have  a  right  to  withdraw  with  his  pro  rata  of  money. 
RULE  19.— BROKEN  TARGETS. 

A  target  to  be  scored  "broken,"  must  have  a  perceptible  piece  broken  from  it 
while  in  the  air.  A  "dusted"  target  is  not  a  broken  target.  No  target  shall  be 
retrieved  for  shot  marks. 

If  a  target  be  broken  by  a  trap,  the  shooter  may  claim  another  target ;  but  if 
he  shoots,  the  result  must  be  scored. 

RULE  20.— ALLOWING  ANOTHER  TARGET. 

Section  i.  The  shooter  shall  be  allowed  another  target  for  the  following 
reasons : 

A — For  a  target  broken  by  the  trap. 

B — For  any  defect  in  the  gun,  or  load,  causing  a  mis-fire. 

C — If  the  contestant  is  interfered  with,  or  balked,  or  there  is  other  similar 
reason  why  it  should  be  done,  the  Referee  may  allow  another  target. 

Section  2.  If  the  shooter  is  balked  at  known  traps,  he  shall  have  another 
target  from  same  trap.  But  if  the  balk  occurs  at  unknown  traps,  the  indicator 
shall  again  be  turned  and  a  new  combination  used  barring  traps  which  have  been 
fairly  sprung. 

Note. — When  a  shooter  in  breaking  his  gun  to  put  in  the  shells  fails  to  break 
it  far  enough  to  cock  the  gun,  it  is  considered  his  own  carelessness,  and  not  suffi- 
cient excuse  for  the  allowance  of  another  target. 

RULE  21.— LOST  TARGETS. 

Targets  shall  be  scored  lost  if  the  shooter  fails  to  load,  cock,  adjust  safety 
on  gun,  or  pulls  the  wrong  trigger. 

RULE  22.— TIE  SHOOTING. 

Section  i.  All  ties  shall  be  shot  off  at  the  original  distance,  and  as  soon 
after  the  match  as  practicable,  at  the  following  number  of  birds : 

Tics  on  all  Single  Targets. — In  single  target  matches  of  25  targets,  or  less, 


370  AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 

on  three  traps,  3  targets ;  five  traps,  5  targets.  In  matches  of  26  targets  to  50, 
inclusive,  «n  three  traps.  6  targets;  five  traps,  10  targets.  In  matches  of  over 
50,  on  three  traps,  15  targets;  five  traps.  25  targets. 

Tics  on  Double  Targets.— In  double  target  matches  of  ten  pairs  or  less,  on 
three  traps,  3  pairs.  In  matches  of  more  than  ten  pairs,  five  pairs  thrown  from 
traps  I  and  3.  If  five  traps  are  used,  the  same  number  shall  be  thrown  in  each 
case,  from  traps  2  and  4  (unless  otherwise  arranged  by  the  Management,  and  so 
stated  or  understood  previous  to  the  beginning  of  the  match). 

Section  2.  If  in  a  series  of  matches  the  result  prove  a  tie,  such  tie  shall  be 
shot  off  at  the  original  number  of  targets. 

RULE  23.— ANNOUNCING  THE  SCORE. 

Section  i.  When  two  Judges  and  a  Referee  are  serving,  one  of  the  Judges 
shall  announce  the  result  of  each  shot  distinctly,  and  it  shall  be  called  back  by  the 
Scorer. 

If  the  second  Judge  disagrees  with  the  decision  of  the  Judge  calling,  he  shall 
announce  it  at  once  before  another  target  is  thrown,  and  the  Referee  shall  decide 
it.  In  case  of  another  target  being  thrown  before  the  Referee's  decision,  the 
target  so  thrown  shall  be  "no  target." 

Section  2.    At  the  close  of  each  shooter's  score  the  result  must  be  announced. 
If  claimed  to  be  wrong,  the  error,  if  any,  must  be  corrected  at  once. 
RULE  24.— SHOOTER  AT  THE  SCORE. 

In  all  contests  the  shooter  must  be  at  the  score  within  three  minutes  after  his 
name  is  called  to  shoot,  or  he  forfeits  his  rights  in  the  match. 
RULE  25.— FORBIDDEN  SHOOTING. 

No  shooting  will  be  permitted  in  the  enclosure  other  than  at  the  score ;  and  in 
case  there  is  no  enclosure,  no  shooting  within  200  yards  of  the  score,  without  the 
consent  of  the  Management. 


LIVE  BIRD  SHOOTING. 

RULE   I.— REFEREE. 
A  Referee  shall  be  appointed  by  the  contestants,  or  the  Management,  whose 
decision  shall  be  final. 

RULE  2.— DUTIES  OF  THE  REFEREE. 

The  Referee  shall  see  that  the  traps  are  properly  set  at  the  beginning  of  the 

match,  and  kept  in  order  to  the  finish,  and  that  they  are  kept  properly  filled.    He 

may  at  any  time,  and  must  when  so  requested  by  a  contestant,  select  one  or  more 

cartridges  from  those  of  a  shooter  at  the  score,  and  publicly  test  same  for  proper 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS  371 

loading.     If  the  cartridge,  or  cartridges,  arc  found  to  be  improperly  loaded,  the 
shooter  shall  suffer  the  penalty  as  provided  in  Rule  15. 
RULE  3-— SCORER. 

A  Scorer  shall  be  appointed  by  the  contestants,  or  Management,  whose  score 
shall  be  the  official  one, 

RULE  4-— PULLER. 

A  Puller  shall  be  appointed  by  the  contestants,  or  Management,  and  shall  be 
placed  at  least  6  feet  behind  the  shooter,  and  it  shall  be  his  duty  to  pull  the  traps 
evenly  and  fairly  for  each  contestant,  and  instantly  after  the  shooter  calls  "Pull." 
He  must  use  a  trap-pulling  indicator,  or  other  device  that  may  be  furnished  by  the 
Management,  so  that  the  shooter  will  not  know  which  trap  is  to  be  pulled.  All 
traps  must  be  filled  before  the  shooter  calls  "Pull." 

If  more  than  one  bird  is  liberated,  the  shooter  may  call  "no  bird" ;  but  if  he 
shoots,  the  result  must  be  scored.  Should  the  Puller  not  pull  in  accordance  with 
the  indicator,  he  shall  be  removed  and  another  Puller  substituted. 

If  the  trap  is  pulled  before,  or  at  any  noticeable  interval  after,  the  shooter 
calls  "Pull,"  he  can  accept  or  refuse  the  bird ;  but  if  he  shoots,  the  result  must  be 
scored. 

RULE  5.— ARRANGEMENT  OF  TRAPS. 

All  matches  shall  be  shot  from  five  ground  traps,  placed  five  yards  apart, 
in  the  segment  of  a  circle.  The  radius  of  the  circle  shall  be  30  yards  from  the 
shooter's  score.  The  traps  shall  be  numbered  from  No.  i  on  the  left  to  No.  5 
on  the  right,  consecutively. 

A  ground  trap  is  one  that  lies  flat  with  the  surface  on  the  ground  when  open, 
and  gives  the  bird  its  natural  flight  in  starting. 

RULE  6.— THE  RISE. 

The  rise  shall  be :  30  yards  for  lo-gauge  guns ;  28'  yards  for  12-gauge  guns ; 
26  yards  for  14  and  i6-gauge  guns;  25  yards  for  20-gauge«guns. 

The  shooter's  feet  must  be  back  of  and  not  on  the  shooting  mark. 
RULE  7.— BOUNDARY. 

The  boundary  for  both  singl.e  and  double  bird  shooting  shall  be  the  segment 
of  a  50-yard  circle  and  a  dead  line.  The  circle  shall  be  drawn  from  a  point  10 
yards  beyond  the  center  trap  on  a  line  from  the  shooter's  score,  and  it  shall  ter- 
minate where  it  joins  the  dead  line,  which  shall  be  drawn  at  a  distance  of  30  yards 
from  the  center  trap,  and  at  right  angles  with  a  line  drawn  from  the  shooter's 
score  to  the  center  trap. 

RULE  8.— BIRDS  REFUSING  TO  FLY. 

When  a  bird  refuses  to  fly  such  artificial  means  as  have  been  provided  by  the 
Management  may  be  used  to  start  it,  by  direction  of  the  Referee.    A  bird  hit  with 


372  AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 

a  missile  shall  be  declared  "no  bird."  The  shooter  may  declare  a  bird  refusing  to 
fly  when  the  traj)  is  inillod.  "no  bird."  If  a  bird  walks  one  yard  toward  the  shooter 
it  shall  be  declared  "no  bird"  by  the  Referee. 

RULE  9.— GATHERING  BIRDS. 

A  bird  to  be  scored  dead  must  be  gathered  within  the  bounds  before  another 
bird  is  shot  at,  and  within  three  minutes  time,  by  a  dog  or  person  appointed  by  the 
shooter  for  that  purpose.  No  extraneous  means  shall  be  used,  and  no  other  person 
shall  be  allowed  to  assist  in  gathering.  If  the  gatherer  can  not  locate  the 
bird,  he  may  appeal  to  the  Referee  to  locate  it  for  him.  When  the  bird  is  retrieved 
by  a  man.  it  shall  be  scored  dead  when  brought  to  firing  point ;  but  when  dog  is 
used,  the  bird  shall  be  scored  dead  when  the  dog  has  had  him  in  his  mouth.  All 
birds  challenged  must  show  flesh  shot  marks  to  be  scored  "dead." 
RULE  10.— BIRDS  KILLED  ON  THE  GROUND. 

A  bird  killed  on  the  ground  with  the  first  barrel  is  "no  bird."  But  it  may  be 
killed  on  the  ground  with  the  second  barrel  if  the  first  is  fired  while  the  bird  is  on 
the  wing.  If  a  bird  is  shot  at  on  the  ground  with  the  first  barrel,  and  the  shooter 
uses  the  second  barrel,  and  the  bird  escapes,  it  is  "lost  bird."  But  if  the  bird 
is  killed^  it  shall  be  "no  bird." 

RULE  II.— MUTILATING  BIRDS. 

No  mutilation  of  birds  will  be  allowed,  and  if  it  is  proved  to  the  Referee 
that  any  contestant  has  wilfully  mutilated  a  bird,  or  is  a  party  thereto,  the  Referee 
shall  declare  all  his  rights  in  the  match  forfeited. 

RULE  12.— OUT  OF  BOUNDS. 

If  bird  settles  on  top  of  boundary  fence  it  must  be  scored  lost.  Where  grounds 
are  not  enclosed  and  any  part  of  bird  is  on  the  boimdary  line,  after  killing  it  shall 
be  scored  "dead  bird."  Where  fence  is  used  for  boundary  and  bird  escapes  through 
hole  in  same  it  shall  be  scored  "no  bird."  A  bird  once  out  of  bounds  must  be 
scored  a  "lost  bird,"  except  where  otherwise  provided. 

RULE  13.— BIRDS  SHOT  AT  BY  ANOTHER  PERSON. 

If  a  bird  be  shot  at  by  any  person  other  than  the  shooter  at  the  score,  the 
Referee  shall  decide  whether  it  shall  be  scored,  or  another  bird  allowed. 
RULE  14.— POSITION  OF  GUN. 

Any  the  shooter  may  adopt. 

RULE  15.— LOADS. 
Charges  of  powder  unlimited.     Charge  of  shot  not  to  exceed  one  and  one- 
quarter  ounces  American  Association,  or  Dixon's  measure,  struck.    Any  shooter 
using  a  larger  quantity  of  shot  shall  forfeit  his  entrance  money  and  rights  in  the 
match. 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS  373 

RULE  16.— CALIBER  AND  WEIGHT  OF  GUN. 
No  gun  of  larger  caliber  than  a  lo-gauge  shall  be  used,  and  the  weight  of  all 
guns  shall  be  limited  as  follows:  lo-gauge,  9  pounds  4  ounces;  12-gauge,  8  pounds 
4  ounces ;  14  and  i6-gauge,  7  pounds  12  ounces ;  20-gauge,  7  pounds  8  ounces. 
RULE  17.— LOADING  GUN. 
No  gun  shall  be  loaded  except  at  the  score.    Cartridges  must  be  removed  from 
the  gun  before  leaving  the  score. 

RULE  18.— LOST  BIRD. 
If  a  gun  is  not  cocked,  or  the  safety  not  properly  adjusted,  and  the  bird 
escapes,  it  shall  be  scored  a  "lost  bird." 
RULE  19.— BOTH  BARRELS  DISCHARGED  SIMULTANEOUSLY. 
If  both  barrels  are  discharged  simultaneously  and  the  bird  escapes,  the  con- 
testant shall  be  allowed  another  bird,  the  same  as  provided  in  Rule  21.    But  if  the 
bird  is  killed  it  must  be  declared  "no  bird." 

RULE  20.— MIS-FIRE  WITH  THE  FIRST  BARREL. 
If  tl\  e  shooter's  gun  mis-fire  with  the  first  barrel  he  shall  be  allowed  another 
bird,  but  if  he  uses  the  second  barrel  and  misses,  the  bird  must  be  scored  "lost 
bird."     But  if  killed  with  the  second  barrel,  on  the  wing,  it  shall  be  scored  "dead 

bird." 

RULE  21.— MIS-FIRE  WITH  THE  SECOND  BARREL. 

If  a  mis-fire  occurs  with  the  second  barrel,  the  shooter  shall  have  another 

bird,  using  a  full  charge  of  powder  only  in  the  first  barrel.     He  must,  however, 

put  the  gun  to  his  shoulder  and  discharge  the  blank  cartridge  in  the  direction  of 

the  bird,  and  the  bird  must  be  on  the  wing  when  the  first  barrel  is  discharged. 

RULE  22.— SHOOTER  AT  THE  SCORE. 

In  all  contests  the  shooter  must  be  at  the  score  within  three  minutes  after 

his  name  is  called  to  shoot,  or  he  forfeits  his  rights  in  the  match. 

RULE  23.— LEAVING  THE  SCORE. 

A  shooter  having  fired  his  first  barrel  and  left  the  score,  can  not  return  to  fire 

his  second  barrel. 

RULE  24.— BALK. 

If  a  contestant  is  balked  or  interfered  with,  or  there  is  other  similar  reason 
why  it  should  be  done,  the  Referee  may  allow  another  bird. 
RULE  25.— ANNOUNCING  THE  SCORE. 

The  Referee  shall  announce  the  result  of  each  shot  distinctly  and  it  shall  be 

called  back  by  the  scorer,  and  at  the  close  of  each  shooter's  score  the  result  must 

be  announced,  and  if  claimed  to  be  wrong,  the  error,  if  any,  must  be  corrected 

at  once. 

RULE  26.— TIE  SHOOTING. 

All  ties  shall  be  shot  off  at  the  original  distance,  and  as  soon  after  the  match 


374  AMERICAN    SMALL  ARMS 

as  practicable,  at  the  following  number  of  birds,  unless  otherwise  agreed  to  by- 
all  contestants: 

In  matches  of  lo  birds  or  less,  3  birds ;  in  matches  of  11  to  25  birds,  inclusive, 
5  birds;  in  matches  of  26  to  50  birds,  inclusive,  10  birds;  in  matches  of  51  to  100 
birds,  inclusive,  25  birds. 

If  in  a  series  of  matches  the  result  prove  a  tie,  such  tie  shall  be  shot  off  at  the 
original  number  of  birds. 

RULE  27.— CLASS  SHOOTING. 
All  shooting  shall  be  class  shooting,  unless  otherwise  stated. 

RULE  28.— ENDANGERING  PERSON  OR  PROPERTY. 
If  a  bird  shall  fly  so  that  to  shoot  at  it  would  endanger  any  person  or  prop- 
erty, it  shall  not  be  shot  at,  and  the  Referee  shall  allow  another  bird. 
RULE  29.— FORBIDDEN   SHOOTING. 
No  shooting  shall  be  permitted  within  the  enclosure  other  than  at  the  score, 
and  in  case  there  is  no  enclosure,  no  shooting  within  200  yards  of  the  score, 
except  by  those  at  the  score,  without  the  consent  of  the  Management. 


DOUBLE  BIRDS. 
RULE  I. 
The  rules  for  single  bird  shooting  shall  govern  double  bird  contests,  when  not 
conflicting  with  the  following: 

RULE  2.— DOUBLE  RISES. 
The  double  rises  shall  be  from  two  traps  of  any  kind,  10  yards  apart,  pulled 
simultaneously.    The  rise  shall  be:  26  yards  for  lo-gauge  gims ;  24  yards  for  12- 
gauge  guns;  22  yards  for  14  and  i6-gauge  guns;  21  yards  for  20-gauge  guns. 
RULE  3.— ALLOWING  ANOTHER  PAIR. 
Both  birds  should  be  on  the  wing  when  shot  at.     Should  only  one  bird  fly, 
the  shooter  shall  have  another  pair  of  birds  if  he  does  not  shoot,  or  if  he  does 
shoot  and  kills  the  bird  on  the  wing.     But  if  he  shoots  and  misses,  the  bird  shall 
be  scored  lost,  and  in  such  event  he  shall  shoot  at  another  pair  of  birds,  with  a  full 
charge  of  powder  only  in  one  barrel.    The  Referee  shall  load  the  gun,  not  allowing 
the  shooter  to  know  which  barrel  contains  the  full  charge,  and  which  contains  the 
powder  charge  only. 

RULE  4— MIS-FIRE  WITH  THE  FIRST  BARREL. 
If  the  shooter's  gun  mis-fire  with  the  first  barrel,  he  will  be  entitled  to  another 
pair  r)f  birds,  if  he  does  not  shoot  his  second  barrel.   But  if  he  fires  his  second  barrel 
the  result  must  be  scored,  and  the  shooter  shall  shoot  at  another  pair  of  birds, 
with  a  full  charge  of  powder  only,  in  one  barrel,  as  provided  for  in  Rule  3. 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS  375 

RULE  5.— MIS-FIRE  WITH  THE  SECOND  BARREL. 
If  the  shooter's  gun  mis-fire  with  the  second  barrel,  the  result  of  the  first 
barrel  must  be  scored,  and  the  shooter  shall  shoot  at  another  pair  of  birds  with  a 
full  charge  of  powder  only  in  one  barrel,  as  provided  for  in  Rule  3. 
RULE  6.— LOST  BIRD. 
If  a  shooter  fire  both  barrels  at  one  bird  intentionally,  it  shall  be  scored  "lost 
birds."     But  if  the  second  barrel  be  discharged  accidently,  it  shall  be  "no  birds." 
RULE  7.— NO  BIRD. 
If  both  birds  are  killed  with  one  barrel,  it  shall  be  declared  "no  birds,"  and  the 
shooter  shall  shoot  at  another  pair  of  birds. 

RULE  8.— TIES. 
All  ties  must  be  decided  in  shooting  off  as  follows :  In  matches  of  5  pairs 
or  less,  at  2  pairs ;  in  matches  of  6  to  10  pairs,  inclusive,  at  3  pairs ;  in  matches 
of  II  to  20  pairs,  in  elusive,  at  6  pairs;  in  matches  of  21  to  50  pairs,  inclusive,  at 
10  pairs. 

SYSTEMS  OF  DIVIDING  MONEY. 

CLASS  SHOOTING  OR  THE  PERCENTAGE  SYSTEM. 

In  the  old  days,  when  there  were  but  few  Trap  Shooters  and  a  small  number 
of  entries,  the  purses  were  usually  divided  60  and  40  per  cent.  As  the  number  of 
entries  increased,  the  number  of  moneys  increased  to  four  or  five.  This  system 
gives  rise  to  injustice  and  encourages  "dropping  for  place,"  and  has,  therefore, 
been  almost  wholly  discontinued  except  for  five  birds. 

Two  moneys,  60  and  40  per  cent.;  three  moneys,  50,  30  and  20  per  cent.; 
four  moneys,  40,  30,  20  and  10  per  cent.;  five  moneys,  30,  25,  20,  15  and  10  per 
cent.;  six  moneys,  27,  23,  17,  13,  11  and  9  per  cent. 

THE  EQUITABLE  SYSTEM. 

Mr.  Jesse  E.  Pumphrey,  of  Columbus,  Ohio,  was  the  originator  of  this  system. 
It  offers  no  inducement  for  "dropping  for  place,'  as  the  man  who  kills  the  most 
will  always  be  paid  the  most.  The  principal  criticism  that  has  been  made  to  this 
system  is,  that  there  is  not  a  sufficient  difference  between  the  winnings  in  the 
various  places.  Every  shooter  getting  into  the  money  is  paid  his  pro  rata  of  the 
purse,  according  to  the  number  of  targets  or  birds  he  has  killed.  This  is  deter- 
mined by  the  net  amount  of  the  purse  and  the  number  of  targets  or  birds  killed 
by  those  who  have  shot  into  the  money. 

THE  ROSE  SYSTEM. 

Shortly  following  the  Equitable  System  came  the  Rose,  invented  by  A.  R. 


376  AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 

Rose,  Salida.  Colo.  This  system  very  closely  resembles  the  Equitable,  but  instead 
of  figuring  the  exact  value  of  each  target  or  bird,  the  various  moneys  are  repre- 
sented by  a  scale  of  points  which  are  not  arbitrary,  but  may  be  changed  at 
pleasure,  making  as  much  difference  as  may  be  desired,  between  the  various 
moneys.  In  this  respect  it  differs  from  the  Equitable  and  is  an  improvement  over 
that  system  where  a  shooter  who  goes  straight  receives  but  a  fraction  more  than 
one  who  loses  one  or  two — it  being  conceded  that  it  is  much  more  difficult  to  kill 
all,  than  a  portion. 

HIGH   GUNS. 

The  most  recent  addition  to  the\  systems  of  purse  division  is  the  High  Guns. 
This  system,  used  almost  entirely  in  live  bird  shooting,  is  rapidly  becoming  very 
popular — the  more  so  as  it  becomes  better  understood.  The  opposition  that  this 
system  met  with  at  the  start  arose  from  the  belief  that  but  a  very  small  percentage 
of  the  entries  would  get  into  the  money,  but  when  considered  as  made  use  of 
in  the  Grand  American  Handicap  with  two  moneys  for  every  ten  entries,  or  as 
made  use  of  in  many  of  the  gun  clubs,  two  moneys  for  every  five  entries — in  the 
latter  case  making  ten  moneys  in  every  twenty-five  entries — the  opposition  died 
away,  and  the  system  has  become  quite  popular.  The  money  is  divided  by  per- 
centage, but  the  system  is  entirely  distinct  from  class  shooting. 

HOW  TO  SELECT  A  RANGE. 

This  important  work  is  generally  left  to  a  committee  appointed  by  the  presi- 
dent. In  selecting  a  range,  endeavor  to  find  a  level  tract  of  land  for  the  purpose. 
Avoid  places  where  there  are  ravines  or  gullies,  as  they  create  strong  currents 
of  air.  A  space  cut  through  the  woods  makes  the  range  favorable  for  shooting. 
Choose  a  place  which  will  permit  placing  the  targets  at  the  north,  and  endeavor 
to  find  a  location  where  a  natural  backing  of  earth  to  the  targets  can  be  secured. 
It  is  desirable  to  have  the  firing  points  for  the  different  distances  side  by  side. 
Measure  the  distances  accurately  with  a  steel  tape  measuring  line  and  stake  them 
off.  If  the  land  is  level,  dig  a  pit  deep  enough  to  completely  shelter  the  marker 
when  he  stands  erect  in  it ;  if  the  land  is  not  level,  or  is  too  wet  to  use  a  pit,  build 
a  butt  or  shelter,  which  should  be  not  less  than  five  feet  deep,  of  solid  earth  at 
the  top.  Build  up  both  sides  of  the  inside  of  the  pit  or  shelter  with  logs  or  stone 
work.  Use  paper  targets  only ;  they  are  the  safest  and  best.  Arrange  the  targets 
thus :  Build  a  frame  a  little  larger  than  the  target.  Tack  over  the  frame  some 
thin,  strong  cloth,  drawn  tight;  paste  the  target  on  this  cloth.  This  mounted 
target  should  be  fitted  into  another  frame  or  sash,  which  is  erected  back  and  over 
the  pit  or  to  one  side  of  the  butt  or  shelter ;  then  the  target  can  be  raised  and 
lowered  like  a  window  by  the  marker  in  the  pit  or  drawn  behind  the  shelter. 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS  377 

When  absolute  safety  is  secured  the  firing  can  begin.  There  are  a  number  of 
ways  to  mark  the  shots.     The  following  are  suggested : 

1.  The  marker  has  a  long  pole,  on  the  end  of  which  is  a  round  disc  aljout  C 
inches  in  diameter,  one  side  of  the  disc  being  painted  white,  the  other  black. 
When  the  shot  strikes  the  target  the  marker  places  the  disc  over  the  shot  hole, 
showing  the  white  side  when  in  the  bull's-eye,  black  if  outside.  He  then  displays 
a  card  having  the  covmt  in  figures  on  it.  The  target  is  then  pulled  into  the  pit, 
the  shot-hole  pasted,  after  which  the  target  is  returned  to  its  exposed  place. 

2.  Another  plan  is  to  employ  a  wooden  plug  with  a  card  disc  attached.  After 
the  shot,  the  target  is  pulled  to  the  pit,  the  plug  is  placed  in  the  shot-hole,  the 
rtarget  raised  for  another  shot,  and  the  value  of  the  shot  signalled  by  a  hand 
pointing  to  figures.  The  marksman  at  the  firing  point,  by  aid  of  a  telescope  and 
disc,  readily  sees  the  exact  location  of  the  shot.  After  the  second  shot  is  fired 
the  first  hole  is  pasted,  and  the  plug  transferred  to  the  second  shot-hole. 

HOW  TO  CONDUCT  A  TARGET  TOURNAMENT. 

1.  The  grounds  should  be  as  level  as  possible,  with  unobstructed  sky  as  a 
"background.  The  cashier's  office  or  tent  should  be  central  and  30  yards  or  more 
from  the  shooting  scores.  Shelter  for  shooters  when  in  action  or  resting,  tables 
or  racks  for  guns  and  plenty  of  chairs  or  benches  should  be  always  provided. 
The  shooting  score  should  be  roped  off  and  no  person  allowed  inside  but  the 
shooters  at  the  score,  the  squad  immediately  to  follow  and  those  whose  duties 
require  their  presence.  Spectators  should  be  arranged  on  the  left  and  right,  or 
immediately  in  rear  of  the  shooting  scores. 

2.  Arrangement  of  traps  should  be  according  to  American  Association  Rules : 
Five  traps  five  yards  apart,  or  the  W.  G.  Sergeant  system,  three  traps  four  feet 
apart.  Pit  for  trappers,  three  feet  deep  and  eight  feet  long,  with  screen  to  protect 
nine  feet  long  and  three  feet  high.  The  shooting  scores  should  be  five  in  number, 
two  yards  apart,  circular  in  form  and  sixteen  yards  from  center  trap ;  five  to  con- 
stitute a  squad.  Each  contestant  fires,  in  ten  bird  event,  twice  before  moving;  in 
fifteen  bird  event,  three  times,  and  so  on,  according  to  number  of  targets  in  event, 
shooting  always  at  known  trap  and  unknown  angle.  This  arrangement  is  com- 
mended as  the  most  pleasing  and  satisfactory  in  results. 

3.  Targets  enough  for  the  entire  day's  shoot  should  be  unpacked,  and  con- 
veniently placed  before  the  tournament  begins,  in  order  to  avoid  delay  and 
confusion  later  on.  They  should  not  be  exposed  to  rain  or  to  the  sun  on  a  hot  day. 
Each  target  should  be  tried  before  placing  in  trap  by  pulling  in  opposite  directions. 

4.  The  Manager  should  be  a  man  of  experience,  able  to  instruct  and  direct  his 
assistants,  settle  all  disputes,  prevent  friction  and  keep  up  the  general  interest. 


378 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 


5.  The  Referee  should  have  good  eyes  and  good  judgment,  and  should  be 
familiar  with  trap  shooting.  He  should  stand  to  the  right  and  left  of  shooters 
near  the  scorers,  and  should  call  "dead"  or  "lost"  distinctly,  so  that  contestants 
and  scorers  can  plainly  hear.    His  decisions  should  be  final. 

6.  The  Cashier  has  a  very  trying  and  responsible  position.  He  should  be 
courteous,  of  even  disposition  and  not  easily  excited.  He  should  also  be  a  good 
penman  and  accountant.  He  should  make  all  entries  in  a  cash  book,  should  record 
all  totals  of  scores  on  a  separate  card  or  book,  receive  and  pay  out  all  inoneys,  and 
6e  personally  responsible  for  the  cash.  He  should,  before  opening  up,  provide 
himself  with  plenty  of  change. 

7.  The  Assistant  Cashier  should  transfer  names  from  cash  book  to  score 
sheets,  check  the  totals  of  scores  received  from  scorers,  verifying  same,  furnish 
newspaper  reporters  with  scores,  keep  the  scores  in  order,  each  event  by  itself  and 
according  to  number  of  squad,  and  assist  the  Cashier  in  every  way. 

8.  The  Squad  Hustler  should  exert  himself  to  give  prompt  movement 
to  the  various  events,  should  receive  score  sheets  from  the  Assistant  Cashier, 
place  names  on  blackboard,  call  up  squad  and  see  that  each  man  is  in  his 
place,  hand  score  sheet  to  scorer,  and  then  proceed  in  same  way  to  get  next 
squad  in  readiness.  When  he  hands  to  scorer  the  score  sheet  of  second 
squad,  he  should  receive  from  him  the  score  sheet  of  first  squad  and  compare 
its  scores  with  those  on  the  blackboard.  If  found  correct,  he  should  pass  it  to 
the  Assistant  Cashier  at  the  same  time  receiving  from  him  the  score  sheet 
for  next  squad.  If  score  sheet  and  blackboard  do  not  agree,  he  should  stop 
the  shooting,  call  the  attention  of  the  Referee  and  the  individual  interested. 

9.  The  Scorers  should  make  faithful  record  of  all  "dead"  or  "lost"  birds, 
as  called  out  by  the  Referee.  There  should  be  two  scorers,  one  to  record  on 
score  sheet  and  one  to  record  on  blackboard ;  or,  if  there  is  no  blackboard,  each  to 
record  on  separate  score  sheet.  They  should  be  near  each  other,  should  keep  their 
eyes  off  the  targets  and  on  their  work,  and  should  take  turns  in  calling  back  to 
the  Referee,  to  show  that  they  have  heard  correctly. 

10.  The  Trap  Puller  should  be  situated  about  two  yards  behind  No.  3  score, 
and  should  watch  each  shooter  closely,  so  that  he  may  both  hear  and  see  him  call. 
He  should  promptly  pull,  the  instant  the  call  is  made,  as  the  failure  to  do  so  is  sure 
to  disturb  the  shooter. 

I  I.  The  Trappers  should  be  strong,  active  young  men, and  carefully  instructed 
in  placing  targets  and  operating  traps.  They  should  keep  the  tension  springs  on 
carriers  carefully  adjusted  so  as  not  to  break  targets  because  too  light,  or  to  let 
them  fall  out  because  too  loose.  They  should  also  keep  working  parts  oiled,  and 
should  be  sure  that  targets  arc  not  cracked  or  imperfect. 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS  379 

12.  Added  money  is  an  attraction  to  a  tournament,  and  contributes  much  to 
its  success  now-a-days,  thoug-h  formerly  it  was  not  thought  necessary.  It  is, 
however,  liable  to  abuse,  and  often  results  in  driving  the  smaller  clubs  out  of  the 
tournament,  because  not  able  to  afford  this  extra  money.  A  medium  course  should 
be  adopted  where  clubs  can  not  afford  to  add  to  purses,  such  as  guaranteed  purses 
with  surplus  added.  A  liberal  guarantee  would  probably  have  the  same  effect 
in  interesting  shooters  as  added  money. 

13.  Division  of  moneys  is  an  important  consideration.  The  Rose  system 
tends  to  the  equalization  of  moneys,  but  takes  away  the  chance  of  winning  a  big 
purse  alone,  for  which  all  shooters  strive.  It  has  the  merit,  however,  of  preventing, 
to  considerable  extent,  "dropping  for  place,"  that  bane  of  all  tournaments. 

14.  Handicaps  may  be  imposed  by  means  of  added  birds,  varying  distances 
and  styles  of  shooting.  This  method  of  conducting  a  tournament  meets  with  favor 
or  disfavor  according  to  the  locality.  In  determining  its  advisability  in  a  given 
case,  there  should  be  taken  into  account  the  general  sentiment  prevailing  among 
shooters  in  the  section  where  the  tournament  is  to  be  held. 

15.  Style  of  shooting  should  be  to  imitate  as  far  as  possible  live  bird  or 
field  shooting.  Machine-like  methods  should  be  broken  up,  both  barrels  should  be 
brought  into  action  and  the  "unexpected"  should  be  an  important  element.  Wher- 
ever it  can  be  introduced,  there  should  be  one  or  more  events  each  day  requiring 
targets  at  eighteen  to  twenty-one  yards  rise,  unknown  traps  and  angles,  and  the 
use  of  both  barrels. 

16.  The  programme  should  be  printed  in  neat  and  tasty  manner,  and  should 
contain  information  as  to  how  to  reach  the  grounds,  rules,  conditions,  handicaps, 
styles  of  shooting,  prizes,  purses,  and  whatever  may  be  useful  to  attendants  at  the 
tournament. 

17.  In  general:  American  Association  Rules  should  govern.  "Dropping  for 
place"  should  be  strictly  prohibited.  Everything  should  be  done  to  secure  large 
attendance,  but  the  real  success  of  a  tournament  depends  upon  good  order,  the 
fairness,  smoothness  and  dispatch  with  which  the  various  events  are  conducted 
and  the  faithful  carrying  out  of  all  promises. 

HOW  TO  CONDUCT  A  LIVE  BIRD  TOURNAMENT. 

Much  that  has  been  said  in  relation  to  the  Target  Tournament  will  also  apply 
in  this  case.  Nor  is  it  necessary  to  repeat  the  general  rules  observed  by  the  Ameri- 
can Association  in  Live  Bird  Shooting.    A  few  words  only  of  special  advice  will 

be  offered. 

I.  The  grounds  should  be  as  level  as  possible  and  large  enough  for  a  fifty- 
yard  boundary.     There  should  be  an  open  sky  to  shoot  against.     The  boundary 


380  AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 

should  be  distinctly  marked  by  stakes  or  flags,  or,  better  still,  by  a  low  wire  fence, 
in  that  it  prevents  birds  that  strike  inside  from  bounding  out.  Spectators  and  those 
not  actually  employed  in  running  the  tournament  should  be  kept  at  a  good  distance 
to  the  rear  or  side.  The  shooter  should  be  entirely  isolated,  and  no  loud  talking 
or  remarks  pertaining  to  him  while  at  the  score  should  be  permitted  by  the  Ref- 
eree, who  has  power  in  such  matters. 

2.  Traps  and  methods  of  trapping  vary  considerably.  Ground  traps,  of 
which  there  are  several  different  styles,  give  general  satisfaction.  The  method  of 
trapping  in  favor  at  a  number  of  the  principal  shooting  parks  is  wliat  is  called  the 
Elliott  underground  system.  It  is  thought  to  work  smoothly  and  expeditiously. 
The  trappers  and  birds  are  located  in  an  underground  chamber  or  cellar.  The 
trapper  loads  the  trap  from  underneath  through  a  hole  in  the  bottom  of  the  trap. 
The  dead  birds  are  retrieved  by  a  dog  or  boy  from  the  score. 

Another  method  of  trapping,  and  which  is  meeting  with  favor,  is  that  recently 
introduced  by  E.  D.  Fulford.  A  pit  is  made  three  feet  deep,  five  feet  wide  and 
about  twelve  feet  long,  and  is  situated  between  and  just  back  of  Nos.  2  and  3 
traps.  To  prevent  shot  from  striking  downward  into  the  pit,  a  board  a  foot  high 
can  be  placed  back  of  the  pit  and  banked  up  with  earth  in  a  sloping  manner.  Two 
boys  or  men  with  a  crate  of  birds  can  lie  in  the  pit  and  trap  and  retrieve  from 
them.  A  bell  or  gong  can  be  arranged  near  the  edge  of  the  pit  with  a  rope  leading 
back  to  the  score,  and  trappers  can  be  notified  from  there,  by  ringing  same,  when  to 
load  trap  and  when  to  retrieve.  This  system,  with  regulations  carefully  observed, 
is  free  from  danger  and  is  saving  of  time  and  labor. 

Where  a  club  can  not  afiford  the  first-named  system,  or  has  not  grounds 
suitable  for  the  second,  the  old  style  can  be  used,  the  trapping  and  retrieving  being 
done  from  the  score.  A  good  fast  dog  retriever  is  better  than  a  boy  or  man ;  but 
when  a  dog  is  not  available,  two  good,  active  boys  are  necessary,  one  to  load 
trap  and  one  to  retrieve. 

3.  The  handling  of  birds  is  an  important  matter.  The  birds  should  be  kept 
in  a  large,  roomy  place,  with  plenty  of  light.  The  place  should  be  kept  clean, 
and  gravel  should  frequently  be  scattered  on  the  floor.  The  birds  should  have 
plenty  of  water  and  food  until  about  eighteen  hours  before  the  shoot  takes  place, 
when  they  should  be  deprived  of  food.  They  should  be  carried  to  the  shooting 
grounds  in  good  sized  crates,  and  should  be  taken  from  crates  to  traps  by  the 
trapper,  with  the  ends  of  both  wings,  the  tail  and  feet  held  in  his  hands.  No 
mutilation  of  birds  should  be  allowed,  and  all  wounded  birds  should  be  imme- 
diately killed. 

4.  In  regard  to  methods  of  shooting,  where  there  is  a  large  number  of  entries, 
the  event  can  be  shot  in  squads,  each  squad  shooting  entirely  out  before  the  next 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS  381 

squad  begins.  But  this  is  generally  considered  unfair,  as  the  weather  conditions 
may  change  before  the  shoot  is  over,  thus  favoring  some  at  the  expense  of  others. 
The  better  way  is,  for  each  shooter  to  take  his  turn,  and  so  on,  through  all  the 
entries,  until  an  event  is  finished. 

No  outside  shooting  at  escaped  birds  should  be  allowed,  except  by  permission 
of  the  Referee  or  Manager. 

5.  In  awarding  prizes,  high  gans,  or  miss  and  out,  are  generally  conceded  the 
best,  and  are  the  most  popular  methods  of  dividing  purses.  The  method  of  class 
dividing  is  not  generally  regarded  with  favor,  as  it  cuts  the  money  into  too  small 
portions. 


PISTOL   SHOOTING   IN  AMERICA. 

For  many  years  pistol  shooting  in  America  was  regarded  as  a  lost  art.  A 
great  many  years  ago  some  very  fine  single  shot  muzzle  loading  pistols  of  the 
duelling  type  were  manufactured  in  this  country.  These  arms  produced  great 
accuracy.  With  the  introduction  of  the  breech  loading  pistol  and  metallic  cart- 
ridges pistol  shooting  lost  its  popularity,  but  about  1885  pistol  shooting  was  re- 
vived. The  reawakening  of  this  sport  was  mainly  due  to  great  improvement  in 
metallic  cartridges.  It  soon  became  apparent  that  with  modern  metallic  cartridges 
the  work  of  the  old  duelling  pistol  could  not  only  be  equalled  but  surpassed,  and 
the  facility  of  loading  and  firing  was  so  great  that  pistol  shooting  as  a  sport  could 
be  indulged  in  with  little  or  no  fatigue. 

As  pistol  shooting  increased  in  popularity  the  leading  shooting  clubs  of 
America  decided  that  for  out-door  shooting  50  yards  was  the  proper  range,  and 
the  Standard  American  target,  as  used  at  200  yards  for  rifle  shooting,  was  almost 
universally  adopted  throughout  the  United  States.  Most  of  the  rifle  clubs  in  the 
United  States  made  pistol  shooting  an  auxiliary  to  their  sport  and  built  ranges 
for  this  department  of  shooting. 

After  the  revival  of  pistol  shooting,  it  was  followed  in  a  desultory  manner, 
but  about  1887  it  became  very  popular,  and  great  eflforts  were  made  to  establish 
and  maintain  records.  The  records  of  pistol  shooting  in  America  are  from  5  shots 
to  100  shots,  and  mainly  at  a  distance  of  50  yards  on  the  Standard  American 
target. 

Five-shot  scores  are  usually  fired  in  large  tournaments.  In  the  usual  club 
competitions  it  is  customary  to  issue  tickets  in  matches  of  ten  shots  each.  It  was 
several  years  before  the  score  of  99  out  of  a  possible  100  was  secured,  the  first 
being  made  by  E.  J.  Darlington,  of  Wilmington,  Del.,  on  July  5,  1890.  On  Dec. 
30,  1893,  H.  S.  Harris,  of  the^Iassachusetts  Rifle  Association,  at  Walnut  Hill, 
tied  this  aggregate,  and  on  Jan.  6,  1894,  he  duplicated  that  aggregate. 


382  AMERICAN    SMALL    ARMS 

The  pistol  shooters  of  America  continued  to  shoot  against  this  record  of  99 
out  of  a  possible  100,  and  it  was  not  until  Nov.  8,  1898,  that  C.  H.  Taylor,  of  the 
Philadelphia  Rifle  Association,  secured  the  t^rst  100  out  of  a  possible  100,  10 
shots  at  50  yards  on  the  Standard  American  target.  This  score  produced  a  great 
sensation  among  the  postol  marksmen  of  the  United  States,  although  Mr.  Taylor 
had  made  enough  fine  scores  before  this  time  to  prepare  expert  shots  for  his  re- 
markable score. 

On  May  13,  1899,  Thomas  Anderton,  of  the  Massachusetts  Rifle  Association, 
secured  the  second  perfect  score  of  100  out  of  a  possible  100  on  the  same  target. 

On  April  20,  1901,  E.  E.  Patridge,  of  the  Massachusetts  Rifle  Association, 
made  with  a  pistol  in  10  shots  on  the  Columbia  target  at  50  yards,  at  Walnut  Hill, 
Mass.,  a  score  of  24,  which  is  the  record  score  under  the  foregoing  conditions. 


REVOLVER  SHOOTING  RECORD  OF  AMERICA: 

For  a  long  time  a  popular  impression  prevailed  that  a  revolver  was  not  an 
accurate  arm.  A  revolver  with  poor  ammunition  is  certainly  unreliable,  but  a 
first-class  revolver  with  superior  ammunition  is  an  arm  of  precision  far  beyond 
wdiat  most  persons  believe.  It  is  a  significant  fact  that  soon  after  metallic  ammu- 
nition was  introduced  for  revolvers,  the  United  States  ordnance  officers  and  those 
interested  in  revolver  shooting  believed  that  25  yards  was  about  the  extent  of 
range  for  which  the  military  revolver  could  be  relied  upon.  Nearly  all  the  tests 
of  the  Government  were  made  at  that  range  and  shorter  distances.  Other  revol- 
vers of  smaller  caliber  were  rarely  shot  at  a  distance  beyond  10  or  12  yards. 

It  was  in  1886  that  the  first  revolver  match  was  introduced  at  the  meeting 
of  the  National  Rifle  Association,  the  range  being  25  yards,  and  the  target  the  old 
Creedmoor  target.  The  match  called  for  3  scores  to  count  a  possible  150  points. 
The  highest  scores  in  this  match  were  143,  140  and  134.  About  this  time  the 
editor  of  a  well-known  sportsman's  publication  made  the  statement  that  little  or 
nothing  was  known  about  the  accuracy  the  revolver  possessed;  that  with  the 
ammunition  of  that  time,  and  with  improvements  that  could  be  made  in  the  ammu- 
nition, the  revolver  was  an  arm  of  great  accuracy  at  a  distance  far  beyond  what 
most  people  believed. 

About  this  time  a  match  was  announced  for  revolvers  in  the  spring  meeting 
of  the  Massachusetts  Rifle  Association,  the  distance  being  25  yards,  and  the 
target  the  Standard  American  target.  Among  the  marksmen  who  shot  in  this 
competition  was  the  well-known  professional  marksman,  Chevalier  Ira  Paine, 
who  was  then  in  the  height  of  his  fame  as  a  revolver  shot.  On  his  sixth  entry 
he  secured  the  possible  50  out  of  a  possible  50  in  5  shots,  and  accompanied  that 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS  383 

score  with  two  of  49  out  of  50,  making-  an  aggregate  of  148  out  of  a  possible  150, 
or  the  15  shots,  not  consecutive,  in  a  circle  5.54  inches  in  diameter,  his  perfect 
score  of  50  being  all  on  or  in  a  circle  3.36  inches  in  diameter. 

Soon  after'  Chevalier  Paine's  performance  at  Walnut  Hill  the  club  members 
secured  the  possible,  or  so  near  the  possible,  so  often  that  it  was  decided  to  double 
the  range,  and  on  Oct.  15,  1886,  Chevalier  Ira  Paine  offered  to  give  a  demonstra- 
tion of  his  skill  in  revolver  shooting  by  firing  100  shots  on  the  Standard  American 
target  at  50  yards,  until  then  an  unheard  of  distance  for  revolver  shooting.  He 
stiot  Union  Metallic  Cartridge  Co.'s  ammunition,  and  made  791  points.  The 
result  of  this  shooting  was  telegraphed  over  all  the  United  States  and  to  Europe. 
It  was  considered  the  most  remarkable  piece  of  marksmanship  with  the  revolver 
on  record,  but  within  six  months  several  American  amateurs  surpassed  that  record 
one  making  801  points,  another  827,  and  a  third  837. 

Major  C.  C.  Foster,  of  Massachusetts,  on  March  17,  1887,  fired  a  loo-shot 
record  with  a  revolver  on  the  same  conditions  as  Chevalier  Paine,  and  secured 
841  points,  70  of  the  100  shots  being  bullseyes.  This  record  was  surpassed  by 
F.  E.  Bennett,  on  Nov.  4,  1887,  by  a  score  of  857  points,  and  again  on  Nov.  14. 
1887,  he  broke  that  record  by  a  score  of  877  points. 

On  Dec.  23,  1887,  W.  W.  Bennett  raised  the  lOO-shot  revolver  record  of  the 
United  States  to  914  points.  Great  rivalry  existed  between  the  Bennetts  and 
Chevalier  Paine,  which  resulted,  after  a  prolonged  newspaper  controversy,  in  a 
match  with  revolvers  for  $1,000  a  side  under  the  following  conditions:  Six  hun- 
dred shots,  100  shots  a  day  for  six  consecutive  days,  at  a  distance  of  50  measured 
yards,  on  the  Standard  American  200-yard  rifle  target ;  revolvers  .44  caliber,  with 
3  pound  pull,  not  over  6  1-2  inch  barrel,  ammunition  to  be  factory  made. 

Chevalier  Paine  withdrew  on  the  fifth  day  of  the  contest.  He  made  a  protest 
which,  according  to  the  conditions  of  the  match,  was  referred  to  the  secretary  of 
the  National  Rifle  Association  of  America,  who  decided  that  F.  E.  Bennett  had 
won  the  match,  and  he  was  awarded  the  title  of  revolver  champion  of  America 
and  the  stakes. 

While  preparing  for  this  match  at  Walnut  Hill,  Mr.  Bennett  did  some  of  the 
finest  shooting  with  the  revolver  ever  done  in  the  world.  It  was  his  custom  to  fire 
100  shots  a  day  under  regulation  conditions.  Careful  record  of  his  shooting  was 
kept.  He  shot  full  charge  U.  M.  C.  ammunition  in  all  his  practice,  and  secured 
in  100  shots  907,  909,  915  and  912  points. 


PISTOL  AND  REVOLVER  SHOOTING  RULES. 

The  following  are  the  revolver  and  pistol  shooting  rules  generally  followed 


\k 


384  AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 

throughout  the  United  States,  and  which  have  governed  all  the  important  ccni- 
petitions  in  this  department  of  shooting  in  recent  years  in  this  country. 

In  all  matches,  when  not  otherwise  mentioned,  either  the  single-shot  pistol, 
magazine  pistol,  or  revolver  will  be  permitted  upon  equal  conditions ;  but  if 
matches  call  for  any  particular  arm,  the  shooting  must  be  done  with  that  arm 

Classification  of  Arms. — A,  Military  revolver;  B,  Any  revolver;  C, 
Pocket  revolver ;  D,  Magazine  pistol ;  E,  Any  pistol. 

A. — Military  Revolver:  A  revolver  that  has  been  adopted  by  any  Gov- 
ernment for  armament  of  its  Army  or  Navy,  or  such  as  is  constructed  for  military 
service,  provided  it  conforms  in  model,  trigger  pull,  sights  and  ammunition  to 
revolvers  used  in  military  service. 

B. — Any  Revolver  :  A  revolver  of  any  caliber,  maximum  weight,  3  pounds ; 
maximum  length  of  bore,  including  cylinder,  10  inches. 

C. — Pocket  Revolver  :  A  revolver  of  .32  or  .38  caliber ;  maximum  weight, 
25  ounces ;    maximum  length  of  barrel,  exclusive  of  cylinder,  4  inches. 

D. — Magazine  Pistol:  A  pistol  with  a  magazine  other  than  a  revolving 
magazine;   maximum  length  of  bore,  10  inches. 

E. — Any  Pistol  :  Any  breech  or  muzzle  loading  pistol ;  maximum  weight, 
3  pounds ;   maximum  length  of  bore,  12  inches. 

Trigger  Pull. — The  minimum  trigger  pull  shall  be  4  pounds  for  a  military 
revolver;  2  1-2  pounds  for  any  revolver;  4  pounds  for  a  magazine  pistol;  2  1-2 
pounds  for  a  pocket  revolver,  and  2  pounds  for  any  pistol. 

Sights  for  Revolvers  and  Pistols. — The  front  and  rear  sights  must  be 
open ;  the  notch  of  a  rear  sight,  to  be  considered  open,  must  be  as  wide  at  the 
top  of  the  notch  as  at  any  part ;  no  aperture  or  peep  sights,  nor  any  manner  of 
covered  sights,  shall  be  permitted.  On  a  military  revolver  and  on  a  pocket  re- 
volver the  front  and  the  rear  sights  must  be  fixed.  On  any  revolver  and  on 
any  pistol  a  lateral  sliding  bar  or  wind  gauge  may  be  used  on  a  rear  open  sight, 
also  any  elevating  front  or  rear  open  sight.  Front  and  rear  sights  on  any  revolver 
and  any  pistol  must  not  be  more  than  10  inches  apart.  The  use  of  a  notch  for  a 
front  sight  will  not  be  permitted.  Sights  may  be  smoked  or  blackened  in  any 
desired  manner.     Sights  on  military  revolvers  shall  not  be  altered. 

Ammunition. — If  factory  ammunition  is  called  for  it  shall  be  of  anv  make, 
of  any  established  manufacturer,  generally  procurable  in  stores  and  brought  to 
the  shooting  point  in  unbroken  boxes,  with  the  label  of  the  manufacturer  intact. 

Cleaning. — In  match  shooting,  competitors  may  clean  their  arms  between 
scores  or  between  series  of  shots,  provided  such  cleaning  does  not  delay  the  firing, 
which  shall  be  at  the  rate  of  one  shot  a  minute,  when  time  limit  is  required. 

In  matches  confined  to  revolvers,  the  cylinder  must  be  fully  charged,  or  a 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS  386 

sufficient  number  of  chambers  charged  to  complete  the  score  or  series.  With 
magazine  pistols  the  magazine  must  be  fully  charged  or  contain  sufficient  cart- 
ridges to  complete  the  score  or  series. 

Loading  and  Firing. — No  arms  shall  be  loaded  except  at  the  firing  point, 
the  muzzle  of  piece  being  kept  in  the  direction  of  the  target  till  the  arm  is  cither 
discharged  or  unloaded.  Misfires  shall  not  count;  but  an  accidental  discharge 
shall,  in  every  instance,  be  scored  a  shot. 

Position. — The  position  shall  be  as  follows:  Standing,  free  from  any  arti- 
ficial support,  the  pistol  or  revolver  held  in  one  hand  only,  with  the  arm  extended 
free  from  the  body,  and  unsupported  in  any  way. 

Targets. — The  Standard  American  target,  full  size,  having  an  8-inch  bulls- 
eve,  shall  be  used  in  matches  at  50  yards  distance  with  any  revolver  and  any  pistol. 
The  same  target  reduced  to  one-half  size,  having  a  4-inch  bullseye,  in  matches  at 
30  yards  distance.  The  same  target  reduced,  and  having  a  2  3-4-inch  bullseye, 
in  matches  of  20  yards  distance. 

The  United  States  elliptical  bullseye  shall  be  used  in  all  military  matches 
with  military  revolver  and  with  magazine  pistol.  The  bullseye  shall  be  an  ellipse 
8x10  inches  for  50  yards  and  over,  and  other  regulation  lines  to  conform,  and  the 
same  target  one-half  the  size  for  lesser  ranges.  Any  other  target  approved  by  the 
Executive  Committee  may  be  used. 

IMarking  and  Scoring. — Unless  otherwise  specified  each  competitor  shall 
have  a  separate  target  provided,  and  shall  fire  his  score  throughout,  when  the  tar- 
get will  be  examined  by  the  scorer,  and  the  score  recorded. 

Value  of  Shots. — If  a  bullet  touches  a  line  the  count  of  that  line  is  given; 
shots  on  or  within  that  line  count  the  same.  The  eye  alone  shall  determine  the 
count.  Placing  a  bullet  or  other  articles  in  the  shot-hole  or  touching  the  shot- 
holes  in  any  way  is  not  permitted. 

Appeals. — In  case  of  a  challenge  or  if  dissatisfaction  in  any  way  connected 
with  the  shooting,  in  matches  or  practice,  being  referred  to  the  Executive  Officer, 
he  or  his  representative  shall  render  a  decision.  Should  his  decision  be  unsatis- 
factory, an  appeal  may  be  made  in  writing  to  the  Executive  Committee ;  the  de- 
cision of  the  majority  of  this  Committee  shall  be  final. 


RULES  GOVERNING  RIFLE  COMPETITIONS. 

I. — Management. 

1.  All  meetings  for  competitions  will  be  conducted  by  an  Executive  Officer, 
aided  by  assistants. 

2.  The  Executive  Officer  shall  have  control  of  the  range  for  the  conduct  of 


386  AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 

matches,  and  shall  pve  such  directions  to  the  employees  of  the  club  as.  in  his 
judgment,  are  necessary. 

3.  The  Executive  Officer  and  assistants  are  required  to  see  that  the  regula- 
tions are  rigidly  complied  with  by  competitors  and  others. 

4.  They  will  see  that  the  competitors  are  stationed  in  rear  of  firing  points, 
and  that  each  competitor  remains  there  until  called  by  the  score-keeper  to  take 
his  position  at  the  firing-point.  The  score-keeper  will  be  seated  in  rear  of  the 
firing-point. 

5.  Score-keepers  shall,  as  each  shot  is  signalled,  call  in  a  loud  voice  the  name 
of  the  competitor  and  the  value  of  the  shot,  and,  at  the  conclusion  of  the  score  of 
each  competitor,  announce  in  like  manner  his  name  and  total  score. 

6.  All  competitors  shall  be  allowed  to  examine  the  records  of  the  score- 
keeper  during  the  progress  of  the  match,  but  in  such  a  manner  as  not  to  interfere 
wath  or  inconvenience  the  score-keeper. 

7.  Any  competitor  feeling  himself  aggrieved  by  the  ruling  of  the  Executive 
Officer  may  make  to  the  Secretary  a  statement  of  his  grievance  in  writing. 

The  decision  of  the  Executive  Committee  shall  be  final,  subject,  however,  to 
the  discretion  of  said  Committee,  or  any  two  members  of  it,  to  refer  the  matter  to 
the  Board  of  Directors  for  its  decision. 

II. — Rifles. 

The  rifles  allowed  in  the  competitions  must  have  a  maximum  weight  ten 
pounds,  minimum  pull  of  trigger  three  pounds ;  with  sights  of  any  description,  ex- 
cept telescope,  magnifying  and  such  front  aperture  sights  as  solid  disks  or  bushes 
pierced  in  the  centre,  which  cover  the  target  so  as  to  conceal  the  danger-signal 
when  displayed.  No  stirrup  constructed  of  metal  or  other  substance,  connected 
to  the  rifle  by  straps  of  any  kind,  for  the  purpose  of  taking  up  or  lessening  its  re- 
coil, will  be  allowed.  Competitors  shall  submit  their  rifles  and  ammunition  for  in- 
spection whenever  required. 

III. — Targets. 

Creed.mook  Target. 

The  following  described  targets  are  now  in  general  use: 

Creedmoor  targets  are  divided  into  three  classes,  as  follows : 

I.     First  Class,  to  be  used  at  all  distances  over  600  yards.  Targets,  6x12  feet. 

Bullseye,  circular^  36  inches  in  diameter. 

Centre,  circular,  54  inches  in  diameter. 

Inner,  square,  6  feet  x  6  feet. 

Outer,  square,  6  feet  x  12  feet. 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 


387 


2.  Second  class,  to  be  used  at  all  distances  over  300  to  and  including  600 
yards.     Target,  6x6  feet. 

Bullseye,  circular,  22  inches  in  diameter. 
Center,  circular,  38  inches  in  diameter. 
Inner,  circular,  54  inches  in  diameter. 
Outer,  the  remainder  of  the  target. 

3.  Third  Class,  used  up  to  and  including  300  yards.     Target,  4  by  6  feci. 

Bullseye,  circular,  8  inches  in  diameter. 
Center,  circular,  26  inches  in  diameter. 
Inner,  circular,  46  inches  in  diameter. 
Outer,  square,  4  by  6  feet. 
The  Creedmoor  target  is  not  generally  used  now  for  200  yards  shooting,  but 
it  is  still  popular  for  mid-range  and  long  range. 

German  Ring  Target. 

Bullseye,  12  inches.    The  whole  target,  including  bullseye,  divided  into  circles 


.^^^^rR3^>c 


SIANOARO  AMERICAN 
CENTER  RIN6S 


OFFHAND 

2    3   4    5    6   7 


SSlOT^iJf^^f  2   3    4 


5  6 


10  TOTAl 


DATE 


LOCATION. 


.WEATHER 


.WIND. 


3-4  inch  apart,  the  centre  circle  being  i   1-2  inches,  and  counting  from  25  down 

to  I. 

Standard  American  Target,  4  by  6  Feet. 

Count  10.  Bullseye,  circular,  3.36  inches  diameter. 

Count  9.  Bullseye,  circular,  5.54  inches  diameter. 

Count  8.  Bullseye,  circular,  8.00  inches  diameter. 

Count  7.  circular,  11.00  inches  diameter. 

Count  6.  circular,  14.80  inches  diameter. 

Count  5.  circular,  19.68  inches  diameter. 


388 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 


Count  4. 

Count  3. 

Count  2. 

Count  I. 


circular,  26.00  inches  diameter, 
circular,  34.22  inches  diameter, 
circular,  46.00  inches  diameter. 
The  remainder  of  the  target,  4  by  6  feet. 


For  rest  shooting  add  circle  inside  of  ten  2.33  inches  in  diameter ;    inside  of 


|S.T  CLASS 

TARGET                          2-1°  CLASS  TARGET     3 ?i»  CLASS  TARGET 

TARGETS 

1  2  3  4.  5  6  7  8  9  10  1 1  12  13 14- 15  TOTAL 

FOR  MILITARY 
RIFLE  SHOOTING 

200YDS 

500   •• 

•  "CLASS 
F0R800.900,I000YD5 

600   '• 

600   •• 

2'L°  CLASS 
SOOAND  600  YDS. 

900   " 

3"-"  CLASS 

1000  •• 

200  YARDS 

DATE 

,^,^ 

-I 

.oc 

AT 

m 

_ 

_ 

m 

m 

IR 

_ 

.WIND-^ 

eleven  circle  add  another  circle  1.41  inches  in  diameter;    these  circles  count  11 

and  12,  respectively. 

Columbia  Target. 

Bullseye,  12  inches.  The  whole  target,  including  the  buUseye,  divided  into 
circles  1-2  inch  apart.  The  centre  circle,  being  one  inch  in  diameter,  counts  i,  the 
second  circle  counts  2,  and  so  on  out  to  26.    A  shot  outside  the  26  circle  counts  27. 

IV. — Marking,    Scoring   and    Signalling. 

The  value  of  shots  on  the  Standard  American  target  is  shown  on  the  clock- 
face  dial  placed  near  the  target,  and  the  location  of  shot  by  a  small  disk  placed 
over  the  bullet-hole. 

1.  On  Crecdmoor  target.  Bullseye  counts  5;  signal,  white  circular  disk. 
Centre  counts  4 ;  signal,  red  circular  disk.  Inner  counts  3 ;  signal,  white  and 
black  disk.  Outer  counts  2 ;  signal,  black  disk.  Ricochet  counts  R  ;  signal,  red 
flag  waved  twice,  right  and  left,  in  front  of  the  target.  Ricochet  hits  will  be 
marked  out  after  the  Hag  signal.  Shots  on  the  wrong  target,  if  not  scored,  will 
be  marked  $. — 

2.  When  a  shot  strikes  any  part  of  a  target  outside  of  the  boundary  of  the 
"Outer,"  a  square,  red  disk  will  be  raised  and  lowered  in  front  of  the  bullseye 
twice.     Such  shot  is  termed  an  "Angle-iron,"  and  will  be  marked  A. 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS  389 

3.  Challenges  will  only  be  permitted  at  the  discretion  of  the  Executive  Offi- 
cer, and  the  challenging  party  must  deposit  fifty  cents,  to  be  forfeited  in  case  the 
challenge  proves  unfounded.  The  Executive  Officer  may,  in  his  discretion,  chal- 
lenge the  marking  of  any  shot  the  allowance  of  which  would  be  unjust  to  other 
competitors,  and  correct  the  score  accordingly. 

4.  Any  objection  to  the  scoring  of  a  shot  as  signalled,  or  to  one  not  sig- 
nalled, must  be  made  before  another  shot  shall  have  been  fired  on  the  same  target. 

5.  Scorers  will,  in  cases  where  two  disks  of  differing  value  are  shown  for 
one  shot,  record  the  value  of  the  first  one  shown ;  but  it  shall  be  the  right  of  the 
shooter  to  challenge  the  scoring  (without  being  required  to  deposit),  and  the  Ex- 
ecutive Officer  may  decide  upon  the  evidence  the  actual  value  of  the  shot.  Where 
two  shots  strike  the  target  simultaneously,  the  shooter  shall  have  scored  to  him 
the  shot  of  the  higher  value. 

6.  Any  alteration  of  a  scoring  ticket  must  be  witnessed  by  an  officer  in 
charge  of  the  firing  point,  and  indorsed  with  his  initials. 

7.  Double  entries  are  prohibited,  no  shot  being  allowed  to  count  in  more 
than  one  match. 

8.  No  sighting  shots  shall  be  allowed  except  on  targets  specially  designated 
for  that  purpose  by  the  Executive  Officer,  and  in  no  case  on  targets  on  which  a 
match  is  in  progress,  unless  in  an  emergency,  to  be  decided  by  the  Executive 
Officer. 

9.  Unfinished  scores  shall  be  considered  worthless  after  having  been  with- 
drawn from  the  scorer,  and  no  shots  can  be  claimed  under  or  by  virtue  of  the  same 
after  having  been  so  withdrawn. 

10.  No  scorer  is  allowed  to  have  at  one  time  more  than  one  score-card  for 
each  shooter,  and  no  shooter  is  allowed  to  shoot  without  having  an  unfinished 
score-card  deposited  with  the  scorer. 

V. — Position. 

1.  In  all  matches,  the  position  up  to  and  including  three  hundred  yards  shall 
be  standing.    The  elbow  may  be  rested  against  the  hip  or  the  body. 

2.  At  distances  above  three  hundred  yards  any  position  may  be  taken  with- 
out artificial  rests  to  the  rifle  or  body. 

VI.— Ties. 

Ties  shall  be  decided  as  follows,  viz. : 

A      At  more  than  one  distance,  whether  by  individuals  or  teams: 
I.  By  the  score  at  the  longest  distance;   2.  By  the  score  at  next  longest  dis- 
tance ;     3.    By  the  fewest  misses ;     4.    By  the  fewest  outers ;    5.    By  the  fewest 


390  AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 

inners ;  6.  By  the  fewest  centres ;  7.  By  the  inverse  order  of  shots,  from  last 
to  first,  as  actually  fired ;  8.  In  individual  shootin^;,  by  firing  single  shots  at  the 
longest  distance ;  in  team  shooting,  by  firing  one  shot  by  each  man  at  the  longest 
distance. 

B.  At  one  distance,  whether  by  individuals  or  teams: 

I.  By  the  fewest  misses,  outers,  etc.,  as  the  foregoing  Rule  A,  3  to  7,  in- 
clusive ;  2.  In  individual  shooting  by  firing  three  shots,  the  merit  of  which  shall 
be  decided  by  the  above  rule;  if  still  a  tie,  by  single  shots;  3.  In  team  shooting, 
by  firing  one  shot  by  each  man  of  the  team,  repeated  until  a  team  wins  upon  the 
aggregate  of  the  same. 

C.  At  one  or  more  distances,  individual  shooting  where  two  or  more  rules 
are  required  to  win  : 

I.  By  foregoing  Rule  A,  3  to  7,  inclusive;  2.  By  inverse  order  of  shots, 
treating  the  scores,  in  the  order  in  which  they  are  made,  as  one  continuous  score ; 
J.   By  shooting  as  per  Rule  B,  2. 

D.  Ties  in  re-entry  matches  to  be  decided  by  the  next  highest  score  or  scores. 
In  single-score  matches,  on  all  targets,  the  score  containing  the  lowest  s'.iot 

shall  rank  lowest ;  if  still  a  tie,  by  inverse  order  of  shots ;  and,  if  still  a  tie,  by  each 

competitor  shooting  three  shots,  until  decided.     No  scores  with  handicap  shall 

exceed  a  perfect  score. 

VII. — General  Rules. 

1.  Temporary  discontinuance  of  matches,  on  account  of  bad  weather,  and 
the  closing  limit  for  receiving  entries,  shall  be  at  the  discretion  of  the  Executive 
Officer. 

2.  An  entry-ticket,  except  when  sold  in  block,  may  be  transferred  at  any 
reasonable  time,  by  presenting  it  to  the  Statistical  Officer  for  exchange.  Any 
erasure  or  substitution  of  name  by  the  holder  will  forfeit  the  ticket. 

3.  In  single-entry  matches  no  entry  shall  be  made  after  the  firing  begins,  if 
any  participant  objects. 

4.  lUillscye  certificates  not  presented  within  thirty  days,  and  prizes  not 
claimed  within  three  months  after  having  been  won,  shall  be  forfeited  to  the  As- 
sociation. 

Competitors  will  have  a  choice  of  prizes  unless  otherwise  stated. 
The  Executive  Officer  shall  have  power  to  appoint  assistant  officers,  and  sup- 
ply badges  to  same. 

Regular  Shooting  Days  shall  be  as  the  Directors  may  order. 

VIII.— Pen.\ltik.s. 
I.     Competitors  must  make  themselves  acquainted  with  the  regulations,  as 
the  pica  of  ignorance  shall  not  be  entertained. 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS  391 

2.  No  competitor  shall  be  allowed  to  use  more  than  one  name  besides  his 
3wn  in  any  one  match. 

3.  A  competitor  failing  to  report  at  the  time  and  target  to  which  he  is  as- 
signed, or  shooting  at  pool  or  practice  after  the  hour  set  for  the  simultaneous 
opening  of  a  match  shall  forfeit  his  entry,  (The  last  clause  will  not  prevent  pool- 
shooting  between  scores  in  re-entry  matches.)  Any  member  shooting  at  pool  or 
practice  between  shots  of  a  score  shall  forfeit  the  score. 

4.  All  competitors  and  other  persons  must  preserve  order  and  decorum, 
submit  to  the  direction  and  decision  of  the  Executive  Officer,  and  make  all 
objections  and  protests,  if  any,  to  the  proper  officials,  in  a  manner  which  will 
not  disturb  others. 

5.  Rifles  may  be  discharged  only  in  firing  at  the  target  in  pools  or 
matches,  when  the  danger-flag  is  not  exposed,  or  into  such  warming  pits  as 
may  be  designated  (in  that  case,  without  bullet),  and  any  competitor  or  other 
person  discharging  a  rifle  otherwise  or  having  a  loaded  shell  inserted  in  his 
rifle  while  elsewhere  than  upon  the  actual  firing-point,  may  be  disqualified  for 
the  time  being,  or  fined  a  sum  not  exceeding  three  dollars^  at  the  discretion 
of  the  Executive  Officer, 

6.  Any  violation  of  rules  or  discreditable  conduct  which  the  Executive 
Officer  may  consider  of  such  magnitude  as  to  require  it,  shall  be  reported  to 
the  Directors  for  their  action. 

7.  Any  shooter  firing  upon  the  wrong  target,  shall  be  fined,  to  be  paid 
before  he  proceeds  with  his  score,  and  the  shot  shall  be  recorded  a  miss. 

As  the  residuum  of  smokeless  powder,  if  not  completely  removed,  corrodes 
the  bore  in  a  short  time,  care  is  required  in  cleaning  the  arm  after  firing.  If  gas 
escapes  at  the  base  of  the  cartridge,  it  will  probably  enter  the  well  of  the  bolt 
through  the  striker  hole.  In  this  case  the  bolt  mechanism  must  be  dismounted, 
and  the  parts  and  well  of  the  bolt  thoroughly  cleaned.  Any  part  that  may  appear 
to  move  hard  can  generally  be  freed  by  the  use  of  a  little  oil.  Cedarolcum,  one  of 
the  latest  and  best  lubricants  and  rust  preventives,  is  very  convenient  for  use. 
It  is  put  up  in  a  collapsible  tube,  with  an  injecting  point.  It  will  quickly  remove 
the  residue  of  the  nitro  powders  as  well  as  black,  and  act  at  the  same  time  as  an 
anti-corrosive.  It  is  impervious  to  dampness  and  salt  water,  making  it  desirable 
for  shooting  near  or  on  the  sea. 


HOW  TO  ORGANIZE  A  GUN  CLUB. 

When  a  party  of  sportsmen  desire  to  organize  a  Gun  Club,  a  few  of  the  lead- 
ing spirits  should  appoint  a  time  and  place  for  a  meeting,  and  invite  all  interested 


392  AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 

to  be  present.  A  gun  or  sporting  goods  store  is  an  excellent  place  to  meet.  The 
meeting  should  be  called  to  order  by  one  of  the  promoters,  and  a  Chairman  and 
Secretary  should  be  elected  to  act  until  a  permanent  organization  is  effected.  After 
the  object  of  the  meeting  has  been  sufficiently  discussed,  and  all  present  who  de- 
sire to  become  members  of  the  proposed  Club  have  given  their  names,  a  Committee 
of  three  or  five  should  be  appointed  to  suggest  a  name  for  the  Club  and  to  draft 
a  Constitution  and  By-Laws  for  permanent  organization,  the  Committee  to  have 
authority  to  call  a  meeting  again  when  ready  to  report.  At  the  second  meeting 
action  should  be  taken  on  the  report  of  the  Committee,  and  the  organization  should 
be  completed  by  electing  officers.  A  Committee  should  be  appointed  to  secure 
suitable  grounds,  to  prepare  same  and  to  purchase  traps,  targets  and  whatever 
is  necessary  for  an  outfit. 

A  Constitution  should,  in  general,  embrace  the  following  subjects:  Name  of 
Club,  object,  officers  and  method  of  electing  same,  duties  of  officers,  conditions  of 
membership  and  method  of  electing  to  same,  fees,  initiation  and  annual  dues, 
method  of  dealing  wdth  members  in  arrears,  how  membership  may  be  terminated, 
forfeiture  of  rights  and  interests,  how  the  Constitution  may  be  amended. 

By-Laws  should  pertain  to  times  of  meeting,  order  of  business,  regulations 
for  shoots,  management  of  ground,  purchase  of  supplies,  reports  and  auditing 
same,  and  whatever  the  individual  Club  may  find  its  peculiar  circumstances  may 
require. 

The  following  are  the  customary  officers  and  their  duties :  A  President, 
whose  duties  are  to  preside  at  meetings,  enforce  order  and  the  rules  of  the  Club, 
and  exercise  a  general  supervision  of  its  affairs;  a  Vice-President,  who  acts  in 
the  absence  of  the  President ;  a  Secretary,  who  keeps  a  record  of  the  membership 
and  the  proceedings  of  meetings,  issues  notices  and  attends  to  correspondence ;  a 
Treasurer,  who  collects  and  disburses  funds  on  order  of  the  Club,  and  is  expected 
to  attend  to  ordinary  purchases;  a  Captain,  who  has  the  management  of  shoots 
and  the  enforcement  of  rules  on  the  grounds. 


GAME    LAWS. 


It  has  been  found  more  convenient  for  those  contemplating  a  hunt  to  know 
when  game  may  be  killed,  rather  than  when  protected.  This  article,  therefore, 
gives  the  open  season  instead  of  the  closed.  The  dates  indicate  the  time  during 
which  it  is  permitted  to  kill  game.  For  example,  "October  i  to  January  i," 
signifies  that  during  the  months  of  October,  November  and  December  the  game 
mentioned  may  be  killed. 

Careful  examination  has  been  made  of  all  game  laws  in  the  United  States 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS  393 

and  Canada,  and  the  following  digests,  while  brief  and  free  from  the  customary 
verbiage,  will  be  found  sufficient  for  all  ordinary  purposes  and  in  strict  accordance 
with  the  latest  public  enactments. 

In  the  United  States  and  Canada  (or  British  Possessions)  laws  protecting 
song  and  insectiverous  birds  and  their  nests  and  prohibiting  all  unsportsmanlike 
methods,  such  as  swivel  and  other  than  shoulder  guns,  batteries,  blinds,  sneak  or  punt 
boats,  night  hunting,  hunting  by  artificial  lights,  hounding,  crusting,  snares,  traps, 
disturbing  roosts  and  nests  of  birds  and  fowl,  are  so  almost  universal  that  it  is  not 
necessary  to  repeat  or  specifically  mention  them  under  the  various  States,  Terri- 
tories or  Provinces.    They  can  always,  however,  be  safely  taken  for  granted. 

It  is  not  necessary  to  mention  the  fines  and  punishments.  In  general,  it  mav 
be  said  that  infractions  of  game  laws  are  punishable  by  heavy  fines  and  sometimes 
by  imprisonment  also. 

IN  THE  UNITED  STATES. 

Reference  can  only  be  had  in  this  brief  space  to  general  laws.  In  certain 
States  indicated,  there  are  local  laws  embracing  one  or  more  Counties.  Sportsmen 
contemplating  an  extended  shoot  in  those  States  should  consult  local  authorities 
and  make  sure  of  avoiding  trouble. 

Alabama — Quail,  partridge,  grouse,  pheasant,  woodcock,  prairie  chicken, 
November  15  to  March  i.  Turkey,  February  i  to  March  i.  Deer,  September  i 
to  December  31.  Squirrel,  black  or  gray,  fox,  July  i  to  February  i.  Protected: 
'Chinese,  Mongolian  and  English  pheasant.  Prohibited:  Killing  deer  in  stream, 
pond,  or  lake ;  exporting ;  Sunday  hunting.    Local  laws. 

Arizona — Quail,  partridge,  grouse,  pheasant,  duck,  goose,  brant,  snipe,  rail, 
October  15  to  March  i.  Male  deer,  turkey,  November  15  to  December  15.  Pro- 
tected :  Camel,  elk,  mountain  goat  or  sheep,  female  deer,  spotted  fawn  and  antelope. 
Prohibited :  Killing  of  more  than  one  deer  in  a  day  or  three  in  a  season,  or  more 
ithan  25  duck  or  quail  in  a  day ;  exporting. 

Arkansas — Quail,  October  i  to  Alarch  i.  Turkey,  September  i  to  May  i. 
Deer,  September  i  to  March  i.  Pinnated  grouse,  prairie  chicken,  October  31 
to  December  I.    Prohibited:  Exporting.    Non-residents  taxed  $10.00.  Local  laws. 

California — Quail,  partridge,  grouse,  sage  hen,  duck,  rail,  curlew,  ibis, 
plover,  October  i  to  February  i.  Dove,  squirrel,  August  i  to  February  i.  ?^Iale 
deer,  August  i  to  October  i.  Protected:  Female  deer,  spotted  fawn,  antelope,  elk, 
mountain  sheep,  Mongolian  or  English  pheasant,  or  bobwhite  or  Eastern  or 
Chinese  quail,  or  English  partridge.  Prohibited :  More  than  3  deer  in  one  season, 
25  quail,  partridge,  snipe,  curlew,  ibis,  or  50  ducks  or  20  rails  in  one  day.  Export- 
ing.   Local  laws. 

Colorado — Turkey,  prairie  chicken,  sage  chicken,  grouse,  August  15  to  Oc- 


394  AMERICAN   SMALL   ARMS 

tober  31.  Duck,  goose,  snipe,  curlew,  brant,  swan,  crane,  September  i  to  April  15 ; 
in  altitudes  exceeding  7,000  feet,  September  15  to  April  15.  Pigeon,  dove,  July 
15  to  September  30.  Deer  and  antelope  having  horns,  August  i  to  November  5. 
Elk  having  horns,  October  25  to  November  5.  Protected :  Quail,  pheasant,  part- 
ridge, ptarmigan,  bison,  buffalo,  mountain  sheep,  beaver.  Prohibited:  Killing, 
by  one  person,  more  than  50  ducks  and  25  other  birds  in  one  day,  or  more  than 
one  elk,  antelope  and  deer,  or  two  antelope,  or  two  deer,  instead  of  one  of  each, 
in  one  season ;  trespassing  or  shooting  from  public  highway, 

Connecticut — Quail,  woodcock,  ruffled  grouse,  gray  squirrel,  October  i  to 
November  30.  Snipe,  plover,  rail,  gallinules,  mud-hen,  shore  birds,  September  i 
to  March  31.  Goose,  duck,  brant,  September  i  to  March  31.  Hare,  rabbit, 
October  i  to  December  31.  Protected:  Mongolian  or  Chinese  pheasant  and  deer. 
Prohibited :  Killing  more  than  50  rail,  snipe,  .plover,  shore  birds,  per  day,  or 
5  ruffed  arouse  per  day,  or  36  in  one  year ;  Sunday  shooting ;  exporting. 

Delaware — Quail,  partridge,  pheasant,  rabbit,  November  15  to  December 
31.  Reed  bird,  ortolan,  rail,  September  i  to  February  i.  Goose,  swan,  brant, 
duck  (except  wood  duck),  October  i  to  April  15.  Woodcock,  at  all  times.  Pro- 
hibited :  Hunting  when  ground  is  covered  with  snow ;  exporting.  Non-residents 
taxed  $5.00  for  first  and  $2.00  for  each  subsequent  year. 

District  of  Columbia — Quail,  November  i  to  March  15.  Woodcock,  July 
I  to  January  i.  Prairie  chicken,  September  i  to  March  15.  Turkey,  ruffed  grouse, 
pheasant,  November  i  to  December  26.  Squirrel,  rabbit,  November  i  to  February 
I.  Duck,  goose,  brant,  snipe,  plover,  September  i  to  April  i.  Rail,  ortolan,  reed 
bird,  marsh  blackbird,  September  i  to  February  i.  Protected:  English  ring-neck 
or  other  foreign  pheasants.     Prohibited :    Sunday  hunting. 

Florida— Quail,  turkey,  November  i  to  March  i.  Deer,  October  i  to  Jan- 
uary 31,  Prohibited:  More  than  5  deer  in  one  season;  more  than  4  turkeys  and 
25  quail  to  one  person,  or  6  turkeys  and  50  quail  to  one  party  in  one  day ;  sale  of 
deer;  exporting  from  County  where  killed.     Non-residents  taxed  $10.00. 

Georgia — Quail,  partridge,  pheasant,  turkey,  November   i   to  March   15. 
Dove,  August  15  to  March  15.     Deer,  fawn,  September  i  to  January  i.     Pro- 
hibited:   Sunday  hunting.    Exporting  partridge,  quail. 

Idaho — Quail,  October  31  to  December  i.  Partridge,  pheasant,  grouse, 
prairie  chicken,  sage  and  fool  hen,  August  15  to  December  i.  Duck,  goose,  swan. 
August  15  to  March  i.  Deer,  antelope,  mountain  sheep  or  goat.  September  i  to 
January  I.  Elk,  September  i  to  December  i.  Protected:  Moose,  caribou  and 
beaver;  Mongolian  pheasant;  buffalo  and  bison,  indefinitely.  Prohibited:  Killing 
in  one  season  more  than  4  each  of  deer,  antelope,  mountain  sheep  or  goat,  or  two 
elk ;  exporting. 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS  395 

IlIvINOIs— Quail,  legal  at  any  time,  but  will  be  confiscated  except  November 
I  to  December  20.  Pinnated  and  ruffed  grouse,  prairie  chicken,  pheasant,  part- 
ridge, September  i  to  September  30.  Dove,  August  i  to  December  i.  Snipe, 
plover,  September  i  to  April  25.  Duck,  goose,  brant,  all  water  fowl,  September 
I  to  April  15.  Turkey,  September  l  to  January  15.  Squirrel,  July  i  to  December 
I.  Protected:  Deer,  imported  pheasants,  cacubis,  chucker  partridge,  sand  grouse, 
black  India  partridge.  Prohibited:  Sale  of  quail,  prairie  chicken,  ruffed  grouse, 
squirrel,  turkey,  killed  in  State;  exporting  without  license.  Non-residents  taxed 
$10.00.    License  permits  taking  from  State  25  birds  of  all  kinds  killed  by  himself. 

Indiana — Quail,  ruffed  grouse,  prairie  chicken,  pinnated  grouse,  November 
10  to  January  i.  Squirrel,  June  i  to  October  i,  and  November  10  to  January  i. 
Duck,  goose,  brant,  November  10  to  April  15,  and  September  i  to  October  i. 
Dove,  August  15  to  October  i,  and  November  10  to  January  i.  Protected:  Deer, 
turkey,  all  kinds  of  pheasants.  Prohibited:  Killing  of  more  than  24  quail  or 
duck  in  one  day ;  sale  of  quail ;  Sunday  hunting ;  exporting.  Non-residents'  license, 
$25.00. 

Indian  Territory — All  game  protected,  except  for  immediate  subsistence 
while  passing  through  the  country. 

Iowa— Quail,  ruffed  grouse,  pheasant,  turkey,  November  i  to  January  i. 
Prairie  chicken,  September  i  to  December  i.  Woodcock,  July  10  to  January  i. 
Duck,  goose,  brant,  rail,  plover,  sandpiper,  marsh  or  beach  birds,  September  i 
to  April  15.  Squirrel,  June  i  to  September  i.  Beaver,  mink,  otter,  muskrat, 
November  i  to  April  i.  Protected:  Deer,  elk,  goat,  indefinitely.  Prohibited: 
Killing  quail  on  public  highway ;  hunting  for  market ;  killing  more  than  25  birds 
or  fowl  in  one  day ;  trespassing ;  exporting.     License  for  non-residents,  $10.00. 

Kansas — Quail,  December  i  to  31.  Grouse,  prairie  chicken,  August  15  to 
October  i.  Dove,  plover,  July  15  to  September  15.  Protected:  Pheasant, 
meadow-lark.     Prohibited:    Selling,  exporting. 

Kentucky — Quail,  partridge,  pheasant,  November  15  to  January  i.  Wood- 
icock,  June  20  to  February  i.  Dove,  August  i  to  February  i.  Turkey, 
September  i  to  February  i.  Duck,  goose,  August  15  to  April  i.  Squirrel,  June 
15  to  February  i.     Deer,  September  i  to  March  i. 

Louisiana — Dove,  quail,  partridge,  pheasant,  October  i  to  March  i.  Turkey, 
October  i  to  May  i.  Wood  duck,  blue  wing  teal,  August  i  to  May  i.  Other 
ducks,  September  i  to  April  i.  Deer,  September  15  to  February  15.  Prohibited: 
Hunting  at  any  time  by  idlers,  vagrants,  professional  sportsmen,  pot  hunters. 

Maine — Grouse,  partridge,  woodcock,  September  15  to  December  i.  Quail, 
October  i  to  December  i.  Plover,  snipe,  sand  piper,  August  i  to  May  i.  Duck, 
April  I  to  April  30,  September  i  to  December  i.    Bull  moose,  October  15  to  Decem- 


396  AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 

ber  I.  Deer,  October  i  to  December  15.  Protected:  Capercailzie,  all  kinds  of 
pheasant,  except  ruffed  grouse ;  cow  or  calf  moose.  Prohibited ;  Killing  more  than 
15  birds,  except  sand  pipers,  or  more  than  70  sand  pipers  in  one  day,  and  more  than 
one  bull  moose  or  two  deer  in  a  season.    Exporting. 

IMaryland — Quail,  partridge,  turkey,  ruffed  grouse,  pheasant,  November  i  to 
January  i.  Woodcock,  July  i  to  July  31,  September  i  to  January  i.  Dove,  August 
15  to  December  24.  Snipe,  plover,  August  15  to  May  i.  Water  rail,  ortolan,  reed 
bird,  rail  bird,  September  i  to  November  i.  Duck,  goose,  swan,  brant,  November 
I  to  April  10.  Rabbit,  November  i  to  February  i.  Squirrel,  September  i  to 
December  i.    Local  laws. 

jNIassaciiusetts — Quail,  woodcock,  partridge,  October  i  to  December  i. 
Plover,  snipe,  sand  piper,  rail,  all  shore,  marsh,  and  beach  birds,  July  15  to  ^lay 
I.  Wood  duck,  black  duck,  or  teal,  September  i  to  March  i.  All  other  kinds 
of  duck,  September  i  to  May  20.  Gray  squirrel,  hare,  rabbit,  October  i  to  March 
I.  Protected:  Deer,  pinnated  grouse,  wild  pigeon,  gull,  tern;  Mongolian,  English 
and  golden  pheasants.  Prohibited:  Pursuit  of  wild  fowl  by  seam  or  naphtha 
boats ;  Sunday  hunting ;  exporting ;  sale  of  woodcock  or  partridge.    Local  laws. 

Michigan — Quail,  partridge,  spruce  hen,  woodcock,  October  20  to  Novem- 
ber 30.  Partridge,  Upper  Peninsula,  October  i  to  November  30.  Jack  snipe, 
blue  bill,  canvas  back,  widgeon,  pin-tail,  whistler,  spoon-bill,  water-ball,  saw-bill 
ducks,  March  2  to  April  10,  and  duck,  goose,  brant,  snipe,  plover,  all  water  fowl, 
October  i  to  November  30.  Deer,  November  8  to  November  30,  Fox,  black  and 
gray  squirrel,  October  15  to  November  30.  Otter,  fisher,  marten,  November  15 
to  May  I.  Mink,  raccoon,  skunk,  muskrat,  November  i  to  August  31.  Pro- 
tected: Prairie  chicken,  Mongolian  and  EngUsh  pheasants,  turkey  and  pigeon, 
beaver,  moose,  elk,  caribou ;  deer,  in  nine  counties  a;id  the  island  of  Bois  Blanc ; 
deer  in  red  coat,  fawn  in  spotted  coat.  Prohibited :  Exporting ;  selling.  Non- 
resident license  for  deer,  $25.00. 

Minnesota — Quail,  partridge,  pheasant,  October  i  to  December  i.  Dove, 
snipe,  prairie  chicken,  pinnated,  white-breasted  and  sharp-tailed  grouse,  September 
I  to  November  i.  Upland  plover,  woodcock,  July  4  to  October  31.  Duck,  goose, 
brant,  all  water  fowl,  September  i  to  January  i.  Deer,  November  10  to  November 
30.  Moose  and  caribou,  with  antlers,  November  15  to  November  20.  Protected: 
Imported  pheasants.  Prohibited :  Killing  by  one  person  more  than  3  deer  in  one 
season ;  i  moose,  i  caribou,  or  more  than  25  birds  in  one  day ;  killing  fawn,  elk ; 
selling  quail,  partridge,  ruffed  and  sharp-tailed  grouse,  prairie  chicken,  pheasant, 
duck,  goose,  brant,  all  water  fowl ;  exporting.  License  required  to  hunt  deer,  elk, 
caribou,  moose,  non-residents  paying  $25.00.  Non-residents  license  for  all  game 
from  citizens  of  States  having  like  provision,  $25.00. 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS  397 

Mississippi — Quail,  turkey,  October  i  to  May  i.  Dove,  lark,  deer,  Septem- 
ber 15  to  March  i.  Laws  pertaining  to  deer  and  turkey  not  applicable  in  12 
counties.  Boards  of  Supervisors  generally  given  full  authority  in  relation  to  game 
in  their  respective  counties.    Local  laws  and  ordinances. 

Missouri— Quail,  prairie  chicken,  partridge,  pheasant,  turkey,  November  i 
(to  January  i.  Woodcock,  dove,  lark,  plover,  August  i  to  January  i.  Duck, 
October  i  to  April  i.  Deer,  October  i  to  January  i.  Prohibited:  Exporting 
from  counties  where  killed  and  selling  quail,  pinnated  grouse,  prairie  chicken, 
deer,  turkey ;  hunting  by  non-residents 

Montana — Grouse,  prairie  chicken,  fool  hen,  pheasant,  partridge,  September 
I  to  December  i.  Sage  hen,  turtle  dove,  August  i  to  December  15.  Goose,  duck, 
brant,  swan,  September  i  to  May  i.  Male  elk,  September  i  to  November  i. 
Deer,  mountain  goat,  September  i  to  January  i.  Protected:  Moose,  bison, 
caribou,  buffalo,  quail,  pheasant,  mountain  sheep,  antelope,  beaver,  female  elk. 
Prohibited:  Killing  more  than  six  deer  or  mountain  goats  or  two  male  elks  in 
,a  calendar  year  or  20  grouse,  prairie  chicken,  fool  hen,  pheasant,  sage  hen,  turtle 
dove,  partridge  in  one  day. 

Nebraska — Prairie  chicken,  sage  chicken,  grouse,  October  i  to  November  30. 
Duck,  goose,  brant,  swan,  crane,  all  water  fowl,  jack  snipe,  Wilson  snipe,  yellow 
legs,  September  i  to  April  15.  Pigeon,  dove,  plover,  April  15  to  October  30.  Deer 
and  antelope  having  horns,  August  15  to  November  15.  Protected:  Quail,  elk 
and  beaver.  Prohibited :  Killing  more  than  10  geese  or  brants,  or  25  other  game 
birds  in  one  day,  or  more  than  one  deer  and  one  antelope  in  a  season ;  shooting 
Jfrom  highway;  exporting.     Non-resident  license,  $10.00. 

Nevada — Sage  hen,  July  i  to  March  i.  Dove,  July  15  to  November  i. 
Goose,  duck,  sand  hill  crane,  mud  hen,  plover,  curlew,  snipe,  woodcock,  valley 
quail,  prairie  chicken,  bittern,  September  i  to  March  15.  Male  deer  and  antelope, 
September  i  to  November  i.  Protected:  Pheasant,  mountain  quail,  female  deer 
fand  antelope,  fawn,  caribou,  elk,  mountain  sheep  and  goat,  beaver  and  otter. 
Prohibited:  Exporting;  selling,  killing  more  than  two  deer  or  antelope  in  one 
season. 

New  Hampshire — Woodcock,  ruffed  grouse,  partridge,  quail,  Wilson  snipe, 
September  15  to  December  15.  Plover,  yellow  leg,  sand  piper,  duck  (except 
sheldrake  and  loon),  rail,  August  i  to  January  31.  Deer,  in  counties  of  Coos, 
Carroll  and  part  of  Grafton,  October  i  to  December  15.  Sable,  otter,  fisher, 
October  15  to  March  31.  Gray  squirrel,  raccoon,  September  15  to  January  i. 
Hare,  rabbit,  October  i  to  March  31.  Protected:  Blue  heron,  bald  eagle,  moose, 
caribou,  elk,  fawn  and  beaver.  Prohibited :  Killing  of  more  than  two  deer  in  one 
season;  exporting;  selling  of  woodcock,  partridge,  duck  and  grouse. 


398  AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 

New  Jersey — Quail,  partridge,  grouse,  pheasant,  squirrel,  hare,  rabbit,  Eng- 
lish pheasant,  November  lo  to  January  i.  Woodcock,  July  i  to  July  31  and 
October  i  to  January  i.  Gray,  English  and  Wilson  snipe,  March  i  to  April  30 
and  August  25  to  December  31.  Reed  bird,  rail  bird,  marsh  hen,  September  i 
to  December  31.  Grass  and  upland  plover,  dove,  August  i  to  September  30. 
Duck,  goose,  other  water  fowl,  September  i  to  May  i.  Prohibited:  Sunday 
hunting;  trespassing;  exporting. 

New  Mexico — Quail  grouse,  prairie  chicken,  pheasant,  partridge,  turkey, 
deer  and  antelope  with  horns,  September  i  to  December  i.  Protected:  Elk,  fawn, 
ibex,  mountain  sheep  or  goat,  beaver  and  IMongolian  pheasant.  Prohibited: 
Exporting. 

New  York — Quail,  November  i  to  December  15.  Woodcock,  September 
16  to  December  15;  grouse,  September  16  to  December  15;  in  Ulster,  Sullivan 
and  Greene  counties,  October  i  to  December  15.  Wilson  snipe,  yellow  leg,  plover, 
fl-ail,  mud  hen,  gallinule,  surf  bird,  curlew,  water  chicken,  jack  snipe,  shore  bird. 
September  i  to  April  30.  Duck,  Goose,  brant,  swan,  September  1  to  April  29 ;  Jef- 
ferson county,  September  i  to  January  31.  Deer,  September  i  to  November  15. 
Black  and  gray  squirrel,  September  i  to  December  15.  Hare,  rabbit,  opening  of 
season  ranges  from  September  i  to  November  i,  and  closing  from  December  15  to 
February  14,  in  different  counties.  Local  laws  on  mink,  muskrat  and  fox.  Pro- 
tected :  Spotted  fawn,  moose,  elk,  caribou,  antelope,  beaver,  Mongolian  ring- 
necked  and  English  pheasant.  Prohibited :  Exporting ;  crusting  or  yarding  deer ; 
killing  more  than  two  deer  in  one  seacon.    Local  laws. 

North  Carolina — Quail,  partridge,  robin,  lark,  mocking  bird,  turkey,  No- 
vember I  to  March  15.  Duck,  all  water  fowl,  November  10  to  March  10.  Deer, 
October  i  to  December  31.  Protected:  Quail  or  partridge  from  net  or  trap. 
Prohibited  :  Hunting  on  Sunday  ;  exporting.    Local  laws. 

North  Dakota — Prairie  chicken,  pinnated,  sharp-tailed  and  ruffed  grouse, 
•woodcock,  September  i  to  October  15.  Duck,  goose,  crane,  brant,  September  i  to 
May  I.  Deer,  November  10  to  December  i.  Protected:  Quail,  English  and  Chinese 
pheasant,  swan,  buffalo,  moose,  elk,  caribou,  mountain  sheep,  antelope,  beaver 
and  otter.  Prohibited :  Killing  more  than  25  birds  or  water  fowl  per  day,  or  more 
than  five  deer  in  one  year;  selling.  License  for  year,  residents,  75  cents;  non- 
residents, $25.00. 

Ohio— Quail,  turkey,  rabbit,  November  10  to  December  i.  Woodcock, 
squirrel,  August  i  to  September  i.  Rail,  plover,  snipe,  November  10  to  December 
1  and  March  10  to  April  20.  Duck,  goose^  swan,  coot,  mud  hen,  September  i  to 
December  15  and  March  15  to  April  20,  Sundays  and  Mondays  excepted.  Pro- 
tected:    Prairie  chicken,  ruffed  grouse  and  pheasants  of  all  kinds.     Prohibited: 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS  399 

Selling;  Sunday  hunting;  exporting;  killing  of  more  than  i8  quail,  woodcock, 
geese,  plover,  snipe,  25  duck,  10  squirrel,  6  pheasants,  prairie  chicken  or  grouse ; 
shooting  at  quail,  except  when  they  are  flying;  shooting  at  pigeon  on  nesting 
ground  or  within  one-half  mile  of  roosting  place.    Non-resident  license,  $25.00. 

Oklahoma — Quail,  October  15  to  February  i.  Prairie  chicken,  turkey, 
September  i  to  January  i.  Plover,  dove,  August  i  to  December  31.  Protected: 
Mongolian  and  other  pheasants,  deer  and  antelope.     Prohibited :    Exporting. 

Oregon — Prairie  chicken,  ring-necked  pheasant,  quail,  partridge,  October 
I  to  December  i.  Grouse,  ruffed  grouse,  October  i  to  December  i.  Both  groups 
limited  to  ten  in  one  day.  Duck,  goose,  swan,  September  i  to  March  i  ;  Jackson, 
Klamath  and  Lake  counties,  September  1 5  to  January  i  ;  Coos,  August  i  to  Feb- 
ruary I.  Limited  to  100  in  one  week  or  50  in  one  day.  Water  rail,  upland  plover, 
August  I  to  January  i.  Silver  gray  squirrel,  October  i  to  January  i.  Buck 
deer,  antelope,  moose,  mountain  sheep,  July  15  to  November  i.  Female  deer, 
August  15  to  November  i.  Deer,  antelope,  counties  of  Grant,  Harney,  Malheur, 
Baker,  October  i  to  15.  Protected:  Spotted  fawn  and  elk,  China  pheasant.  Tilla- 
mook, Josephine,  Jackson,  Coos,  Curry,  Clatsop  counties ;  ruffed  grouse,  Tilla- 
mook county ;  English  partridge,  capercailzie,  moor  hen,  turkey,  woodcock,  silver, 
golden,  copper,  green  Japanese  and  Reeves  pheasant. 

East  of  Cascade  Mountains — Sage  hen,  grouse,  ruffed  grouse,  except  Wasco 
county,  August  i  to  November  i.  Prairie  chicken,  except  Wasco  county,  October 
,15  to  November  15.  Wasco  county,  prairie  chicken,  quail,  August  i  to  October 
15.  Protected:  Imported  pheasants,  quail,  bobwhite  quail,  except  Klamath  and 
Lake  counties ;  prairie  chicken,  except  Wasco  county. 

Pennsylvania — Quail,  partridge,  prairie  chicken,  grouse,  turkey,  pheasant, 
squirrel,  black  and  gray  fox,  October  15  to  December  15.  Woodcock,  July  i  to 
31  and  October  15  to  December  15.  Plover.  July  15  to  January  i.  Rail,  reed 
bird,  September  i  to  November  30.  Water  fowl,  September  i  to  May  i.  Hare, 
rabbit,  November  i  to  December  15.  Deer,  elk,  November  i  to  30.  English, 
Mongolian  and  Chinese  pheasants,  October  15  to  December  15.  Prohibited: 
Sunday  hunting;  killing  deer  in  stre::rxi,  pond  or  lake;  killing  game  for  sale; 
exporting;  killing  more  than  two  deer  in  one  season,  or  more  than  15  quail,  2 
turkeys,  10  each  of  pheasant  and  woodcock,  in  one  day. 

Rhode  Island — Woodcock,  ruffed  grouse,  partridge,  quail,  October  15  to 
December  15.  Black  and  wood  duck,  August  15  to  March  31.  Goose,  brant,  duck 
(except  black  and  wood),  peep,  plover,  snipe,  yellow  leg,  shore  birds,  no  close 
season.  Rabbit,  hare,  gray  squirrel,  October  15  to  January  i.  Protected:  Pheas- 
ant (not  including  ruffed  grouse)  and  deer.  Prohibited  :  Exporting  of  woodcock, 
quail  or  ruffed  grouse. 


400  AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 

South  Carolina — Quail,  partridge,  woodcock,  pheasant,  turkey,  November 
I  to  April  I.  Dove,  August  i  to  March  i.  Deer,  in  ten  counties,  August  i  to 
February  i;  other  counties,  September  i  to  January  i.  Protected:  Mongolian 
and  ring-necked  pheasants.    Non-residents  taxed  $25.00.    Local  laws. 

South  Dakota — Quail,  prairie  chicken,  pinnated,  sharp-tailed  and  ruffed 
grouse,  woodcock,  September  i  to  January  i.  Plover,  curlew,  September  i  to 
May  15.  Duck,  goose,  brant,  crane,  September  i  to  May  i.  Deer,  elk,  buffalo, 
mountain  sheep,  November  i  to  January  i.  Protected:  Beaver,  antelope  and 
otter.  Prohibited :  Selling ;  exporting ;  killing  more  than  25  birds  or  fowl  in  one 
day,  or  more  than  one  elk,  one  buffalo,  three  deer,  four  antelope,  one  mountain 
sheep,  in  one  year.     Non-resident  license,  $25.00. 

Tennessee — Quail,  partridge,  November  i  to  ]\Iarch  i.  Deer,  by  residents 
only  and  for  own  consumption,  August  i  to  January  i.    Local  laws. 

Texas — Quail,  partridge,  October  i  to  March  15.  Prairie  chicken,  August  i 
to  February  i.  Turkey,  September  i  to  April  i.  Deer,  September  i  to  January  i. 
Antelope,  September  i  to  January  i.  English  and  iMongolian  pheasants,  August 
I  to  February  i.     Prohibited:   Exporting;  sale  of  deer  or  antelope  killed  in  Statt. 

Utah — Quail,  October  i  to  March  i,  in  Kane  and  Washington  counties  only. 
Partridge,  pheasant,  prairie  chicken,  sage  hen,  grouse,  August  15  to  December 
I.  Dove,  July  i  to  December  i.  Duck,  goose,  snipe,  brant,  swan,  October  i  to 
January  15.  Deer,  October  15  to  November  15.  Protected:  Quail,  except  in 
counties  specified;  IMongolian,  Chinese  and  English  pheasants,  pinnated  grouse, 
elk,  antelope,  mountain  sheep,  buffalo,  bison,  beaver  and  otter.  Prohibited :  Ex- 
porting; killing  more  than  two  deer  in  one  season, 

Vermont — Quail,  duck,  English  snipe,  goose,  plover  (other  than  upland), 
partridge,  woodcock,  September  i  to  December  31.  Pheasant,  English  partridge, 
October  i  to  November  19.  Upland  plover,  August  15  to  November  30.  Rabbit, 
liare,  September  i  to  April  30.  Otter,  November  i  to  April  i.  Deer  having  horns, 
October  22  to  October  31.  Protected:  ]\Ioose,  caribou,  beaver.  Prohibited: 
Killing  duck  or  goose  between  7  p.  m.  and  5  a.  m.;  killing  more  than  one  deer  in 
one  year,  or  more  than  5  birds  or  twenty  ducks  in  one  day ;  exporting. 

Virginia — Quail,  partridge,  except  in  Fluvanna  county,  October  15  to  Janu- 
ary I.  Pheasant,  ruffed  grouse,  turkey,  west  of  Blue  Ridge,  September  15  to 
February  i ;  east  of  Blue  Ridge,  October  1 5  to  January  1 5.  Woodcock,  November 
I  to  April  I ;  Alexandria  and  Fairfax  counties,  July  4  to  January  i.  Marsh  hen, 
not  later  than  June  20.  Willet,  not  before  July  15.  Gull,  not  before  September 
.1.  Duck,  goose,  all  water  fowl,  September  i  to  May  i.  Deer,  August  15  to  Jan- 
uary I.  Prohibited:  Non-residents  in  most  counties.  Local  laws.  Protected: 
Mongolian  and  English  pheasants. 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS  401 

Washington— Grouse,  partridge,  prairie  chicken,  sage  hen,  ptarmigan,  native 
pheasant,  August  15  to  December  i.  CaHfornia  mountain  and  valley  quail,  bob- 
white,  imported  pheasant,  August  15  to  December  i.  Sage  lien,  prairie  chicken, 
east  of  western  boundary  of  Okanogan,  Chelan,  Kittitas,  Yakima  and  Klickitat 
counties,  September  15  to  November  15.  Plover,  rail,  crane,  duck,  swan,  all  water 
fowl,  August  15  to  March  i.  Deer,  September  15  to  December  15.  Male  moose, 
elk.  caribou,  antelope,  mountain  sheep,  goat,  September  i  to  November  I.  Pro- 
'tected:  Spotted  fawn,  quail,  sage  hen,  prairie  chicken  in  Kittitas  and  Yak. ma 
;Counties;  female  moose,  elk,  caribou,  antelope,  mountain  sheep  and  goat.  Pro- 
hibited :  Killing  more  than  four  deer  or  one  each  of  elk,  moose,  antelope,  or  two 
•each  of  caribou,  mountain  sheep  or  goat  in  one  year;  hunting  deer  between  sunset 
end  sunrise ;  exporting. 

West  Virginia — Quail,  partridge,  November  i  to  December  20.  Ruffed  and 
pinnated  grouse,  pheasant,  pra.ne  chicken,  October  15  to  December  15.  Snipe. 
March  i  to  July  i.  Woodcock,  July  15  to  November  i.  Turkey,  September  15 
■to  January  15.  Duck,  goose,  brant,  October  i  to  April  i.  Deer,  October  15  to 
December  15.  Protected:  Fawn.  Prohibited:  Exporting  deer,  turkey,  quail, 
pheasant,  ruffed  grouse;  killing  more  than  12  quail  or  partridges  in  one  day. 
Non-residents  taxed  $25.00. 

Wisconsin — Woodcock,  partridge,  pheasant,  prairie  chicken,  grouse  of  all 
(kinds,  plover,  snipe,  September  i  to  November  30.  Duck,  brant,  all  water  fowl, 
except  goose,  September  i  to  December  31.  Goose,  September  i  to  May  i.  Rab- 
bit,, squirrel,  July  i  to  May  i.  Otter,  marten,  fisher,  beaver,  February  i  to  May 
'I,  Deer,  November  10  to  November  30;  protected  in  Fond  du  Lac,  Sheboygan, 
Manitowoc  and  Calument  counties.  Protected:  Swan,  Mongolian,  Chinese  and 
•English  pheasant,  and  quail  of  all  varieties  ;  fawn.  Prohibited  :  Killing  more  than 
two  deer  in  one  season ;  exporting  more  than  one  deer  to  each  coupon  of  license, 
or  more  than  50  birds  or  fowl,  owner  accompanying ;  trespassing.  Non-resident 
license  $25.00  for  deer;  other  game,  $10.00. 

Wyoming — Partridge,  pheasant,  prairie  chicken,  prairie  hen,  grouse,  August 
'15  to  December  i.  Sage  chicken,  July  15  to  October  15.  Snipe,  green  shank, 
tattler,  godwit,  curlew,  avoset,  plover,  duck,  brant,  goose,  September  i  to  May  i. 
Deer,  elk,  mountain  sheep  or  goat,  antelope,  September  i  to  December  i.  Pro- 
tected: Quailj  swan,  moose,  beaver  and  Mongolian  pheasant.  Prohibited:  Ex- 
porting without  permit  from  Justice  of  Peace ;  killing  in  one  season  more  than  two 
elk,  two  deer,  three  antelope,  one  mountain  sheep  or  goat. 

Yellowstone  Park— Prohibited  at  all  times:  Hunting,  killing,  wounding 
or  capturing  of  any  bird  or  wild  animal,  except  dangerous  animals,  and  then  only 
in  self-defense. 


402  AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS 


BRITISH  POSSESSIONS  IN  NORTH  AMERICA. 

British  Columbia — Grouse,  all  kinds,  prairie  chicken,  hare,  caribou,  moose, 
elk,  September  i  to  December  31.  Duck,  heron,  plover,  meadow  lark,  bittern, 
September  i  to  February  28.  Deer,  mountain  goat  or  sheep,  September  i  to 
December  14.  Beaver,  November  2  to  March  31.  Otter,  marten,  November  2  to 
I\Iarch  31.  Protected:  Female  and  young  caribou,  elk,  moose,  mountain  sheep  or 
goat,  fawn,  English  pheasant,  partridge  and  quail  of  all  kinds.  Prohibited: 
Killing  in  one  season  more  than  5  caribou,  10  deer,  2  elk,  2  moose,  5  mountain 
goats,  3  mountain  sheep,  250  ducks ;  exporting ;  buying  or  selling  heads  of  moun- 
h:ain  sheep.     Non-residents  taxed  $50.00. 

Manitoba — Prairie  chicken,  grouse,  pheasant,  partridge,  September  15  to 
November  14.  Woodcock,  plover,  quail,  snipe,  sand  piper,  August  i  to  December 
^i;  upland  plover,  July  i  to  December  31.  Duck,  September  i  to  DecemDer  31. 
Male  of  deer,  capri,  antelope,  elk,  wapiti,  moose,  reindeer,  caribou,  September  15 
to  November  30.  Prohibited :  Sunday  hunting ;  exporting ;  killing  more  than  100 
birds  in  one  season  or  more  than  20  in  one  day,  or  more  than  2  of  deer,  capri, 
antelope,  elk,  wapiti,  moose,  reindeer,  or  caribou,  in  one  year.  Non-residents 
taxed  $25.00. 

New  Brunswick — Partridge,  September  15  to  November  30.  Woodcock. 
5nipe,  duck,  goose,  brant,  September  i  to  December  i.  Deer,  moose,  caribou, 
east  of  River  St.  John,  September  15  to  December  31.  Mink,  fisher,  sable,  October 
.15  to  March  31.  Protected:  Female  and  young  moose;  pheasant,  robin  and 
beaver.  Prohibited :  Sunday  hunting.  License  for  hunting  moose  and  caribou — 
residents,  $2.00 ;  non-residents,  $30.00.     Local  laws. 

NicwFouNDLAND — Partridge,  grouse,  willow  grouse,  ptarmigan.  September 
15  to  January  12.  Plover,  snipe,  curlew,  all  migratory  birds,  excepting  geese, 
September  15  to  January  12.  Rabbit,  hare,  September  15  to  March  i.  Caribou. 
July  16  to  September  30  and  October  21  to  January  31.  Otter,  October  i  to 
March  31.  Foxes,  October  15  to  March  14.  Protected:  Moose,  elk  and  beaver. 
Prohibited :  Exporting,  except  through  custom  house.  License  for  non-residents 
.to  kill  caribou,  for  two  stags  and  one  doc.  good  four  weeks.  $40.00;  for  three 
stags  and  one  doe,  good  six  weeks,  $50.00 ;  for  five  stags  and  one  doe.  for  two 
months,  $80.00. 

NoRTiiwicsT  Tf.rritoriks — Partridge,  grouse.  i)rairie  chicken.  September  15 
to  December  15.  Duck,  snipe,  sand  pi])<.r,  August  23  to  May  5.  Deer,  elk,  moose, 
caribou, antelope, November  i  to  December  15.  Mountain  sheep  or  goat,  October 
15  to  December  15.     Protected:  Buffalo.     Prohibited:  Exporting;  killing  by 


I 


AMERICAN    SMALL   ARMS  403 

one  person  more  than  three  game  animals  in  one  season  or  more  than  20  of 
any  game  bird  in  one  day.     Non-residents  taxed  $15.00. 

Nova  Scotia — Woodcock,  snipe,  teal,  blue-winged  and  wood  duck,  Sep- 
tember I  to  March  i.  Partridge,  October  i  to  November  30.  Rabbit,  hare, 
October  i  to  February  i.  Moose,  caribou,  September  15  to  January  i. 
Beaver,  mink,  November  i  to  February  28.  Protected:  Moose,  carilx)u  in 
Cape  Breton,  pheasant,  spruce  partridge,  blackcock,  capercailzie,  sharp-tailed 
grouse,  deer  and  elk.  Prohibited  :  Killing  in  one  season  more  than  two  each 
of  moose  or  caribou.  License  for  non-residents,  $10.00  to  kill  birds,  hares, 
rabbits,  and  $30.00  to  kill  other  game. 

Ontario — Quail,  November  i  to  December  15.  Grouse,  all  kinds,  pheas- 
ant, partridge,  woodcock,  snipe,  rail,  plover,  black  and  gray  squirrel,  hare, 
September  15  to  December  15.  Duck,  all  kinds,  September  i  to  December 
15.  Goose,  swan,  September  15  to  May  i.  Deer,  November  i  to  15.  Musk- 
rat,  January  i  to  April  i.  Moose,  reindeer,  caribou,  November  i  to  15.  South 
of  Canadian  Railway,  from  Mattawa  to  Port  Arthur  north,  and  west  of  this 
line,  October  16  to  November  15.  Protected:  Elk,  wapiti,  English  and  Mon- 
golian pheasants,  beaver,  otter,  cow-moose,  fawn  or  young  deer.  Prohibited : 
Sunday  hunting;  killing  deer  in  water;  killing  more  than  2  deer,  i  bull 
moose,  I  bull  reindeer  or  caribou ;  exporting.     Non-residents  taxed  $25.00. 

Quebec — Divided  into  two  zones:  Zone  i,  comprising  all  of  province 
south  and  west  of  Saguenay  River ;  Woodcock,  snipe,  plover,  curlew,  tattler, 
and  piper,  September  i  to  February  i.  Birch  or  swamp  partridge,  Septem- 
ber I  to  December  15.  White  partridge,  ptarmigan,  hare,  November  i  to 
February  i.  Duck,  September  15  to  March  i.  Pied-ducks  or  divers,  Sep- 
tember I  to  April  15.  Deer,  moose,  September  i  to  January  i.  Caribou, 
September  i  to  February  i.  Mink,  otter,  marten,  pekan,  fox  (red  and  yel- 
low not  protected) and  raccoon,  November  i  to  April  i.  Muskrat,  April  i  to 
May  I.  Bear,  August  20  to  July  i.  Prohibited:  Killing  more  than  one 
moose,  two  deer,  or  two  caribou  in  one  season. 

Zone  2,  comprising  all  of  province  north  and  east  of  Saguenay  River — 
Same  as  in  Zone  i,  except  as  follows:  Birch  or  swamp  partridge,  Septem- 
ber 15  to  February  i.  White  partridge,  ptarmigan,  November  15  to  Alarch 
I.  Hare,  October  15  to  March  i.  Muskrat,  November  i  to  April  i.  Otter, 
October  15  to  April  15.  Caribou,  September  i  to  March  i.  Prohibited: 
Killing  more  than  four  caribou  in  one  season. 

In  both  Zones— Prohibited :  Yarding  or  cruising.  Non-residents  taxed 
$25.00  for  general  permit,  $20.00  for  fur  animals,  $10.00  for  birds  for  the  sea- 
son or  $1.50  per  day  for  short  period. 


INDEX 


Aiming,  90,  122. 

American  Arms  Company  Arms,  130. 

American  Shooting  Association,  366. 

Angle  of  Fire,  9. 

Anvil,  31.  33<  349- 

Armory  Practice,   107. 

Astigmatism,   122. 

Attached  Head  Cartridges.  27. 

Automatic  Ejectors.  157.  i74,  178.  180,  182,  190, 

203.   245,   249,   255,   267,   282,   283,   285,    347, 

348.  ^       ^. 

Automatic  Loadmg,  142,  345. 
Automatic  Pistol.  142,  150. 
Automatic    Safeties,    129,    132,    159,    190,    248, 

284,  306,  347- 

Back  Action  Locks,  10. 

Baker  Guns,  129,  131. 

Ballard  Rifle,  57,  61,  62,  I34- 

Ball  Cartridges,  25,  40. 

Baltimore  Hammerless  Gun,   134. 

Barger  Sight,  125. 

Barlow   Bullet,  64,  65. 

Barnekov-Greene  Gun,  135. 

Barrel,  7,  8,  15.  16,  17,  ^9, '20,  21,  86,  89,  126, 

127,  234,  315- 
Barrel   Cleaners,   21,   127. 
Barrel  Drilling  Machine,  17,  18. 
Batavia  Gun.   133.  136. 
Beach  Combination  Sight,  87,  301. 
Beals  Rifle.   136. 
Beardsley  Bullet,  53. 
Berner  Rifle,  137. 
Berthier  Rifle,  137. 
Bisley  Revolver,   137,   154. 
Blake  Rifle,  138. 
Blank  Cartridges.  25,  26. 
Boch  Magazine  Gun,  141. 
Borchardt  Rifle,   142. 
Breech  Block,  7,  8,  10. 

Breech  Loaders,  7,  8,  13S,  136,  142,  I55,  161, 
171,  176,  178,  179.  183,  194.  197,  237,  239, 
240,  241,  243,  249.  250,  252,  254,  264,  265, 
266,  277,  280,  283.  292.  293.  296.  298,  299. 
308.  310.  311.  313.  314,  341,  342.  344- 

Breech  Mechanism,  7,   10. 

Bridgeport  Tools.  72.  76. 

Briggs-Kneeland  Magazine  Gun.   142. 

Broughton  Guns.   142. 

Brown   Magazine   Gun.    143. 

Browning  Automatic  Shot  Gun,  143. 

Budd-Petmecky  Barrel  Cleaner,   127. 

Bufiington  Magazine  Gun,  143. 

Bullard  Rifle,  58.  61.   144- 

Bullets,  40,  41.  42,  43.  44.  45.  46,  5°,  78,  108. 


Bullet  Seater,  79. 
Bullet  Sizing  Tool.  79. 
Burchard  Revolver.  145. 
Burgess  Magazine  Gun,  145. 
Burgess  Repeating  Shotgun,  146. 
Burnside  Rifle,  29,  146. 
Burton  Magazine  Gun,  147. 

Caliber,  9.  49,  50,  68,  167. 

Candle  Practice,  105,   106. 

Carbine,  7.  9,  349. 

Cartridge  Belts,  82.      . 

Cartridges,   14,  22,  25,  36,  37,  39. 

Cedaroleum,  391. 

Center-fire  Metallic  Cartridges.  27,  30. 

Chaffee  Magazine  Gun,  I47- 

Chaffee-Reece  Magazine  Gun,  148. 

Chamber.  7,  8.  9,  36,  37,  69. 

Charge.  67,  68.  74. 

Charleville  Musket,  149. 

Class    Shooting   .System   of   Dividing   Money, 

375- 
Clemmons  Magazme  Gun.  149. 
Clips,  137,  142,  143.  252,  349- 
Collier  Revolver,  23. 
Colt  Arms.  23.   150. 
Columbia  Target,  388. 
Combination  Rear  Sight,  II. 
Comblain   Rifle,    155. 
Combustion,  67. 
Compression,  95. 
Concussion,  98. 
Conlin  Pistol,  305- 
Conroy  Rifle,   155. 
Creedmoor  Target.  386. 
Crimping,  72,  74,  76. 
Cullen  Rifle.   i55- 
Cummins  Rifle  Telescope,  116. 
Cut-offs,  138,  167,  169,  170,  179,  187.  294.  313. 

Daly  Guns,  156. 

Damascus  Barrels,   16. 

Davenport  Arms,   157. 

Davis  Guns,   159. 

Dean  Magazine  Gun.   160. 

De  Capper.  75.  76.  77,  78. 

Derringer,  154.  261. 

Dexter  Rifle.  161. 

Dividing  Money  Systems,  375. 

Double  Birds.  374. 

Duplex  Rifle  Telescope,  116. 

Durst  Gun,  161. 

Dutch  Cartridge,  35. 


Earnest  Gun,  161. 


405 


406 


INDEX 


Elasticity,  97- 

Elliot  Breech  Loader,  i6i. 

Elliot   Magazine  Gun,   162. 

Elterich  Ritlcd  Bullet  Shell.  341. 

Equitable  System  of  Dividing  Money,  375- 

Estimation  of  Distance,  85.  109. 

Evans  Magazine  Gun,   163. 

Expanding  Bullets,  70,  167. 

Express  Bullets,  43.  50,  56,  59-  I39-  164. 

Extractor,  8,  10. 

Farrow  Arms,  130,  164. 

Farwell  Magazine  Gun,  171. 

Ferguson  Rifle,  171. 

Firing-pin,  8.  10,  129,  132. 

Fixed  Chamber,  7.  8,  135.  136.  141.  M2,  I43, 
145,  147.  148.  155.  161,  175,  176,  178.  183, 
187.  194,  197,  206.  2y].  239,  240.  241,  263,  264, 
265,   2T],   283,   292,   298,   308,   310,   311,  Z^Z^ 

314.  341- 
Fogerty  Gun,  171. 
Folded  Head  Cartridges.  27. 
Folding  Hammer,  185. 
Folsom  New  American  Gun,  172. 
Ford  Gun,  172. 
Forehand  Arms.  172. 
Fouling,   126,   127. 
Fox  Hammerless  Gun,  346. 
Franklin  Magazine  Gun,  175. 
Freeman  Gun,  176. 
Front  Action  Locks,  10. 
Fulminate  of  Mercury,  14,  28. 

Gallery  Practice.   107. 

Game  Laws,  392. 

Gardner  Magazine  Gun.  177. 

German  Ring  Target,  387. 

Glenwood  Gun,  178. 

Gould  Express  Bullet,  64. 

Gould  Pistol.  305. 

Gripman  Reloading  Tool,  yT- 

Grooves,  9,  19,  20. 

Greene  Gun,  178. 

Guard  Plate,  12,  13. 

Gun  Barrels,   15.   17-   18. 

Gun  Clubs.  391. 

Gun  Safeties,   127,   128,  129. 

Hadley  Firing  Pin,  236. 

Hair  Triggers,  13. 

Hall  Rifle,  179. 

Hamilton  Rifle,  179. 

Hammer.  10.   128.  291. 

Hammerless  Guns,  128,  130,  131,  134.  I59,  I73, 

189.   203,   242,  254,   279,   280,   283,  306,  314, 

346.  347- 
Hampden  Gun,  179. 
Harrington  and  Richardson  Arms,  180. 
Heal  Rifle.  348. 
Helm  Gun,   183. 
Henry    Rifle,   183.  234. 
Hepburn-Remington  Rifle.  183. 
High  (Juns  System  of  Dividing  Money,  376. 
llollcnbeck  Gun.  307. 
Hopkins  and  Allen  Arms,  184,  237. 
Hotchkiss  Magazine  Gun,  187. 


Hotz  Gun  Barrel  Reliever,  20. 
Hunt  Magazine  Gun.  187. 

Ideal  System  of  Numbering  Bullets.  50.  51-3,66. 

Ignition,  67. 

Impact,  95,  98. 

Inaccuracies  of  Fire,  86,  87,  88,  89. 

Incorporating  Mill,  66. 

Inflammation,  67. 

Initial  Velocity,  8. 

Interstate    Association    Trap-Shooting    Rules, 

351,  358. 
Ithaca  Guns.  188. 
Iver  Johnson  Arms,  191. 

Joslyn  Gun,  194. 
Joslyn-Tomes  Gun,   194. 

Keene-Remington  Magazine  Gun,  195. 

Kelton  Gun,  196. 

Kennedy  Rifle,   196.  252. 

Kentucky  Rifle,  197. 

King  Rifle  Telescope,  117. 

Kirk  Rifle.   197. 

Knife  Attachment,  182,  257. 

Krag-Jorgensen  Rifle,  197,  348. 

Laidley  Musket,   199. 

Laminated   Barrels,   16. 

Lancaster  Rifle.   137,   I99- 

Larsen  Gun,  200. 

Lee  Gun.  13,  200,  257,  258,  294. 

Lee  Straight  Pull  Rifle,  200.  318,  333- 

Lefever  Gun,  203. 

Leopold  Rifle  Telescope,  120. 

Lewis-Rice  Magazine  Gun,  206. 

Line  of  Sight,  87. 

Live  Bird  Shooting,  370,  379- 

Loading,  8.  80,  81. 

Locks,  7,  10,  247. 

Long  Tang  Peep  Sight.  12. 

Long  Vernier  Sight,  12. 

Lord  Pistol,  304. 

Lovell   Revolver.   206. 

Lubrication,  46,  47,  48,  -/i.  289,  391- 

Lyman  Rest,  91. 

Lyman  Sights.   11,   12,  87.  207. 

Lyman  Target  for  Rapid  Firing,  ill. 

Magazine  Guns,  13,  14.  I37,  138,  141,  142,  I43- 
144,    145,    147,    148.    149.    155,    160,    162,    163, 

164,  171,  175.  "^n^  178,  179.  183,  187,  195, 

196.  197,  200.  206.  217.  235,  237,  239,  241, 
252.  257.  259.  264.  266,  277,  293,  295.  296, 
297.  298.  308.  309.  311.  313,  315.  347,  348. 

Magazine  Pistols.  23.  24. 

Malcolm   Rifle  Telescope.   118. 

Manufacture  of  Gun  Barrels.   15. 

Marksmanship,  84. 

Marlin  Arms,  134,  217. 

Martin  Cartridge,  2,2,. 

Martini-Henry  Rifle,  234.  249,  263. 

Mauser  Rifle.  235. 

Maynard   Rifle,   29.  236. 

Mc'Clean   Magazine  Gun,   i^y. 

McFarlane  Bullet,  62. 


INDEX 


407 


Meigs  Gun,  13. 
Merrill  Gun,   2'>)T. 
Merwin-Hulbert  Revolver,  237. 
Metallic  Case  Cartridge,  7,  28. 
Metford  Sight,  121. 
Milbank  Gun,  239. 
Miles  Gun,  239. 

Military  Revolvers,  24,  150,  285. 
Miller  Magazine  Gun,  239. 
Mills  Cartridge  Belt,  82. 
.      Mississippi  Rifle,  343. 

Mogg  Rifle  Telescope,  119. 

Moran  and  Wolfersperger  Automatic  Ejector, 

249- 

Morgenstern  Gun,  240. 
Morse  Cartridge,  28. 
Moulds.  41,  42,  44. 
Mountings,  7,  12. 
Muir-Monstrom  Rifle,  241. 
Mullins  Gun.  241. 
Multi-ball  Cartridges,  39. 
Muzzle  Velocity,  68. 

National  Rifle  Association  of  America,  103. 

New  Era  Guns,  281. 

New  Jersey  State  Rifle  Association,  104. 

New  Worcester  Gun,  242,  347. 

Nitro  Powders,  69. 

Orndorff  Belt,  83. 

Packets,  138,  170,  179,  3i3- 

Palm  Rest,  93. 

Paper  Cartridges,  25,  26,  2"],  28. 

Parker  Guns,   15,  243. 

Patched  Bullets,  45,  46.  53. 

Peabody-Martini  Rifle,  31,  234,  249,  250. 

Peabody  Rifle,  249. 

Penetration,  9,  96,  97. 

Percentage  System  of  Dividing  Money,  375. 

Phoenix   Rifle.  252. 

Pickett  Bullet.  56,  63. 

Piffard  Heel   Plate,  94. 

Pistols,  9.  22,   2i,  24.   142,   ISO,  200,  262,  288, 

304,  311,  312,  343.  384- 
Pistol  Shooting,  381,  383. 
Pitcher  Gun.  252. 
Pitting,  126,  127. 
Pocket  Revolvers,  24. 
Pooler-Jones  Belt,  82. 
Pope  Rest,  92,  93. 
Pope  System  of  Rifling,  20. 
Pope  Wind  Gauge  and   Elevating   Sight,   124. 
Powder,  40,  66.  68,  69.  80,  81.  107. 
Powder  Charge.  8.  9.  67,  68,  74. 
Primers,  28,  29,  71. 
Projectiles,  9,  95.  96.   97. 
Putnam   Magazine  Gun,  252. 

Quackenbush  Guns,  253. 

Rabbeth  Bullet.   59. 
Ranges,  no,  in.  112,  376. 
Rebounding  Hammers,  183,  280,  348. 
Rebounding  Locks,   130,  247,  286. 
Re-capper,  75,  76,  ^T,  78. 


Recoil,  9,  10,  II,  86. 

Recoil  Pads,  94,  95. 

Reinforced   Cartridges,  32. 

Reloading  Cartridges,  28.   70. 

Reloading  Tools,  71,  72,  -]},,  75.  11^  78.  79.  80. 

Remington  Arms,  183,   196.  254. 

Remington   Reloading   Tools,   TJ. 

Remington  Tliree-Barreled  Rifle,  263. 

Repeaters,  7.  144,  146,  196,  217,  315,  317,  344. 

Rests,  91,  92,  93. 

Revolvers,  22,  23,  24.   130,   137,    145,   152,   153, 

154.    174,    180.    181,    185.    186,    191,   206,   230. 

237,  261,  277,  285,  310,  384. 
Revolver  Shooting.  382,  383,  385. 
Rifle  Barrels,   15,  17,  18,  20,  22.  235. 
Rifle  Telescopes,   113,   114,   115,   116,   117,   118, 

119,  120. 
Rim-primed  Cartridges,   29,  30. 
Roberts  Gun.  263. 
Robertson  Rifle,  264. 
Rose  System  of  Dividing  Money,  375. 
Rotary  Motion,  9. 

Round  Shot.  48.  49.  59,  60,  62,  63,  64,  65,  108. 
Rowley  Cheek  Pad,  95. 
Rumsey  Gun.  264. 
Russell-Livermore  Gun.  265. 
Russell  Magazine  Gun,  264. 
Russian  Berdan  Rifle,  265. 
Rust,  22,  126,  127. 

Safeties.  127,  131.  151,  191,  224. 

Savage  Arms.  266. 

Savage  Micrometer  Sight,  124. 

Schofield,  Smith,  &  Wesson  Revolver,  277. 

Schulhof  Rifle.  277- 

Scott   Magazine  Gun.  277. 

Seating  of  Bullet.   108. 

Sharps  Rifle.  35.   179.  277,  333- 

Sharps-Borchardt   Rifle.   279. 

Sharps-Hankins   Rifle,  280. 

Shattuck  Guns.  280. 

Shells.  70,  71.  72.  75. 

Shooting  Rules.  350. 

Short  Range  Practice,  107. 

Shotguns.   7.    15,    130,    131.    134.    136,   146.    156. 

157,    159,    I7-2-    178.    184,    r8S,    193.    194.   ^03. 

242.-243,   280.   281.   283.   295,   304.   306.   307. 

314,  317,  335.  337,  338.  339.  340,  344.  347- 
Sidle  Rifle  Telescope,  120. 
Sights,    7,    II,    24.   87,  89.    121,    122.    123,    124. 

125,   207,   208,   209,   210,   211,   212,   213.   214. 

215,  216.  275.  384- 
Simmons  Guns.  281. 
Single    Loaders,    14,    137.    I45.    M^.    148.    183. 

i^,   200,   240,    293,   299,    308.   309.   311.   315. 

330. 
Single  Shot  Pistols.  22.  304,  312. 
Single  Triggers,  346,  347- 
Sleeper  Rifle,  283. 
Smith  Guns,  283. 
Smith  &  Wesson  Arms.  277-  285. 
Smokeless  Powder,  68,  69,  107.  I39.  166,  275. 
Smoot  Gun.  292. 
Snap  Shot  Telescope,  120. 
Solid  Head  Cartridges.  27.  35- 
Spencer-Lee  Magazine  Gun.  293. 


408 


INDEX 


spencer  Rifle,  13.  I97.  293. 

Sponccr-Ropcr  Shotgun,  295. 

Sporer  Gun,   29(1. 

Sporting  Arms,  7. 

Springfield-Allin   Rifle,  297- 

Springfield-Jones   Magazine  Gun.  297. 

Springfield  Magazine  Rifle,  348. 

Springfield  Rifle,  149.  196.  199.  239.  296. 

Standard  American  Target,  387. 

Standard  Gauges,   16,  38. 

Starr  Rifle.  298. 

Stetson  Magazine  Gun,  298. 

Stevens  Arms",  299. 

Stock,  7.  10,  II.  13.  86. 

Swift  Revolver,  206. 

Syracuse  Hammerless  Guns,  307. 

Systems  of  Dividing  Money,  375- 

Target  Practice,  98.  99.  100  lOi  102.  103,  104. 
105.  lot-).  109.  no.  386.  387.  388. 

Target  Tournaments.  2,11  ■ 

Telescope  Sights,  12.  113.  II4.  US- 
Testing  Rifles.  91,  92. 

Thomas  Gun.  308. 

Three-harrel  Guns.   156. 

Tiesing  Magazine  Gun.  308. 

Tomlinson  Gun  Cleaner,  21. 

Tournaments.  377.  379- 

Tower  Musket.  309. 

Trabue  Magazine  Gun.  309. 

Trajectory.  9.  68,  84,  85,  89,  121. 

Trap  Rules  of  the  American  Shooting  Associa- 
tion, 366. 

Trap  Rules  of  the  Interstate  Association,  351, 
358. 


Trigger,  13.  24.  86,  129,  130,  384. 
Tubular  Magazine,  14. 
Turnbull  Revolver,  310. 
Twist,  9,  19,  69,  316. 

Updegraff  Rifle,  310. 

Van   Choate  Gun,  310. 
Velocity  of  Inflammation,  67. 
Vernier  Sights.  121,  123,  301,  302. 
Volcano  Pistol,  311. 

Wads,  74,  82,  107. 

Ward-Burton  Rifle.   147,  31 1- 

Wesson   Pistol,  312. 

Wesson   Rifle,  57,  61. 

Westley-Richards  Rifle,  313. 

White  Gun,  313. 

Whitcmore  Rifle,  314. 

Whitncv  Rifle.  252,  313. 

Wick   Plug  Barrel  Cleaner,  127. 

Wilkcsbarre  Hammerless  Gun,  314. 

Winchester  Arms,  13,  34-  35.  164.  183.  200,  315. 

Winchester  Reloading  Tools,  78. 

Wind  Gauge  Sight,  11,  303. 

Winters  Recoil  Pad,  94,  95. 

Wohlgemuth  Gun,  341. 

Worrell  Rifle,  341  • 

WurfBein  Arms,  342- 

Yager  Rifle,  343. 

Young  Repeating  Shotgun,  344. 

Zettler  Bullet,  59- 


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